TAMPA, Fla. — Bucs receiver Mike Evans returned to practice for the first time since he injured his left knee in the first quarter of Sunday's regular-season finale. Head coach Bruce Arians says Evans is a game-time decision for Saturday's playoff match-up against Washington.
He and the training staff have to play a waiting game to see if their best receiver is healthy enough to play in his first career playoff game.
"He’s lived in the training room. Done a great job with it. Also in the meeting room, staying off his feet," Arians said, Thursday via video chat. "Today’s the first day we tried to do much active movement. It was okay, and hopefully, we see how sore he is tomorrow."
Arians said he's not going to gamble if Evans isn't healthy enough to contribute.
"We’re not putting him out there to limp on one leg. If he’s playing, he’s good to go," Arians said.
He also said he's confident that his other receivers can step up if Evans can't play.
"They're not Mike, but they'll be good enough," he said.
The Bucs (11-5) kick-off against Washington (7-9) Saturday at 8:15 P.M. Washington is just the third team (in a non-strike year) to make the playoffs with a losing record.
Seattle made the postseason with 7-9 record in 2010. Carolina did it in 2014 with a record of 7-8-1. Both of those teams won their first-round game before being eliminated the next week.
