By Josh BuckhalterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing host to the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, but the latest news for the franchise bodes well for Baker Mayfield down the road.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers snapped their three-game losing streak with a win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. It was not easy, with Mayfield and Co. emerging with a 20-17 victory.
Short-handed as they have been, the Buccaneers are turning the corner on the injury front.
The turn began in Week 13 with Chris Godwin and continued last week with running back Bucky Irving. It could soon include two of Mayfield’s top targets, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.
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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported that McMillan will have his 21-day practice window opened. He has been sidelined since suffering three fractures in his neck during the preseason, which was expected to keep him out for half of the season.
He has missed 12 games, but is set to return soon.
“Sources say McMillan, the second-year wideout who burst onto the scene with a stellar rookie season, is set to have his practice window opened soon,” Rapoport wrote on December 3. “If there are no setbacks, McMillan could begin practicing this week -- setting the stage for an infusion of help for the season's stretch run.”
That was just the start of the good news for Mayfield and the Buccaneers on the day, too, with Rapoport later revealing that Evans would also have his practice window opened.
Evans broke his clavicle in Week 7.
“Sources: #Bucs legendary WR Mike Evans is having his practice window opened off IR, and he’ll return to practice today,” Rapoport reported on X on December 3. “A quicker than expected return from a broken clavicle, Evans has been medically cleared.”
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“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting healthier. These are some big ones right here,” Rapoport said on “Good Morning Football” on December 3.
“That is big news for the Bucs' offense as they get healthier.”
Mayfield and the Buccaneers still sit atop the NFC South, despite their recent slide and the Carolina Panthers winning three of their last five outings. Getting their stars back on offense should help them keep it that way down the stretch into the postseason.
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