The Chicago Bears’ collection of games this season against teams without their top wide receiver could grow Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Wideout Mike Evans, who’s recovering from an ankle injury, has been deemed a game-time decision by the Bucs.
For tonight’s #Bucs–#Bears game, TB WRs Mike Evans (ankle) and Scott Miller (hip/groin) are listed as questionable & Miller is expected to play, I’m told. As for Evans, he’ll work out pre-game to test his ankle. There is optimism Evans can go, too, but the workout is key.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2020
Evans is off to a good start this season with 17 catches, 230 yards and five touchdowns through four games. He’s faced the Bears five times in his career and has had solid production. Over those five contests, Evans has 24 catches for 326 yards and two scores.
Whether Evans is, in fact, the Buccaneers top wide receiver is a question worthy of debate. Chris Godwin, who exploded for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019, is considered one of the league’s top young pass-catchers.
He’s already been ruled out for Week 5.
In addition to Godwin (and maybe Evans), Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will be without tight end O.J. Howard, who ruptured his Achilles in Week 4.
The Bears are catching early-season breaks on the injury report and need to take advantage by stealing some wins. Tampa Bay is a road favorite at Soldier Field Thursday night in a game that will serve as a litmus test for how legitimate the Bears’ 3-1 record really is.
