Why isn’t Mike Evans playing for the Buccaneers against the Seahawks in Week 5?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are aiming to return to winning ways against Seattle - but Todd Bowles’ men will have to do without WR Evans.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will once more be without wide receiver Mike Evans this weekend, as the 32-year-old continues his recovery from an injury suffered in Week 3.
What injury does Evans have?
Evans left the Buccaneers’ 29-27 win over the New York Jets on September 21, after sustaining a left hamstring strain in the second half at Raymond James Stadium.
The six-time Pro Bowler has been unable to practice since the Jets game. He missed Week 4’s 31-25 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28, and has again been officially ruled out ahead of today’s Week 5 clash with the Seattle Seahawks.
When will Evans return?
It has been reported that Evans, who was also forced to sit out three games with a hamstring injury in the 2024 season, will be sidelined for a total of three to four weeks.
Tampa Bay injuries piling up
Alongside Evans, the Buccaneers have listed four further players as “out” on the team’s injury report for Week 5. Notably, Tampa Bay has been dealt another major offensive blow with the news that running back Bucky Irving will miss the Seahawks game. Irving has been hit by foot and shoulder problems.
“It’s challenging, but [Seattle] is a good team whether we have the starters back or not,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters this week. “So we’ve got to come up with a game plan and we’ve got guys that have got to step up and make some plays.”
Bowles added of the Seahawks: “They’ve got a very good group - they play fast, they play physical and they play violent.”
Bucs injury report vs the Seahawks:
Out: Jamel Dean (hip), Mike Evans (hamstring), Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), Christian Izien (quad), Benjamin Morrison (hamstring).
Week 5 Injury Report - Tampa Bay @Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (10/3/25): https://t.co/CdMTQGseQ7#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/FsBP1uLes4
— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) October 3, 2025
Bucs vs Seahawks: when, where, how to watch
The clash between the Buccaneers and the Seahawks takes place today, Sunday October 5, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT.
CBS will be airing the game; your options for streaming the network’s coverage include the online platform fubo, which offers a free trial.
The Buccaneers and the Seahawks both head into Week 5 with 3-1 records. While Tampa Bay is aiming to bounce back from defeat seven days ago, Seattle is on a run of three straight wins.
In Week 4, Mike Macdonald’s men beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-20, following victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.
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