Bucs WR Evans kept from practice
TAMPA — Wide receiver Mike Evans still is recovering from a hamstring strain and did not practice Wednesday as the Bucs prepared for Sunday's game against the 4-1 Lions.
Tampa Bay (3-1) is coming off a bye week that Evans spent recuperating from the injury he sustained late in the first half of the Oct. 1 win at New Orleans.
Evans was working with trainer Bobby Slater during Monday's bonus practice. Players had the day off Tuesday.
“He's coming along,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “We'll have a better idea on Friday when we probably will see him do some more running, and we'll go from there.”
Evans, who is in the final year of his contract, leads the Bucs in receiving yards (337) and touchdown receptions (3). His 20 catches are one fewer than Chris Godwin.
With Evans out, Tampa Bay got touchdown receptions against New Orleans from rookie Trey Palmer and second-year pro Deven Thompkins. Godwin stepped up with a season-high eight receptions for 114 yards.
The Bucs did get some good news on the injury front. Rookie defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, who played only 11 snaps in the season opener at Minnesota before aggravating a calf injury he sustained the second day of training camp, practiced Wednesday.
The pass rush would get a boost if Kancey is able to play, Bowles said.
“He gives us another option as a pass rusher inside,” Bowles said. “We didn't have viable options before. Logan (Hall) is getting a lot better, and we really like what he's doing. But with (Kancey's) quickness and his savvy as a pass rusher, hopefully that helps us.”
Linebacker SirVocea Dennis, safety Ryan Neal, cornerback Jamel Dean and linebacker Devin White also practiced during the portion open to the media.
Captains named
Bowles wanted to wait until four games into the regular season to have Bucs players vote for their team captains.
The delay produced some first-time selections but no real surprises.
The captains for 2023 are quarterback Baker Mayfield, receivers Godwin and Evans, defensive lineman Vita Vea, offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and linebackers White and Lavonte David.
Godwin, Wirfs and Winfield are captains for the first time in their careers.
Mayfield had the honor for one season in Cleveland and one in Carolina.
“It's truly an honor, because you're voted on by your peers on the team and that's the highest level of respect you can have,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “You know, I'll say we have a ton of leaders and it doesn't change anybody's leadership roles even if you don't have a ‘C' on your chest.
“It's cliche to say, but we have a great team and a lot of good leaders. And that's why we're going to have success as the year goes on, because we're able to lean on different guys. But you know, there's guys that have been here for a long time that are captains, and there are some new faces in there as well. But it takes all of us to contribute and steer the ship the right way.”
Winfield secured a captain's spot with his play on the field alone.
He has 31 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss, four passes defensed and three quarterback hits.
Godwin, entering his seventh NFL season, has a team-high 21 receptions for 255 yards. David was named a team captain for the 10th time.
“I think it means a lot, because it's indicative of what my teammates think of me,” Godwin said. “I pride myself on being a hard worker and doing things the right way. I'm grateful and appreciative of my guys.”