The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped to 7-6 following their shocking 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 14.

Buccaneers all-time leading receiver Mike Evans is among the many injured playmakers this season for Tampa Bay. Evans has been out of action since suffering a broken collarbone in the team's loss to the Detroit Lions on "Monday Night Football" in Week 7.

The Bucs host the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) on "Thursday Night Football" on Thursday, Dec. 11. The question remaining is whether the star wide receiver will make his return.

Evans has been on injured reserve (IR) and had his practice window opened on Dec. 3 ahead of Week 14. He has logged limited practices every day since and the Buccaneers had 21 days to activate him from the time they opened his practice window.

Tampa Bay enters Week 15 with a 7-6 record – in the fourth spot in the NFC playoff picture – leaving little room for error. They are battling to stay atop the NFC South race and Bucs fans are hopeful their All-Pro wide receiver will be available today.

Here's the latest on Evans before the "Thursday Night Football" kickoff against the Falcons.

Mike Evans injury update

The Buccaneers have not yet announced whether their top wide receiver will be back in action for tonight's game against the Falcons. He was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, opening the door for a potential return.

In the absence of any official news, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Evans is "good to go" for the Week 15 "Thursday Night Football" game against the Falcons. The veteran wideout will make his return from a broken collarbone after a six-game stint on injured reserve.

The NFC South leaders have been battered by injuries, but they have found ways to win despite the absence of some of their top players.

Evans has missed nine games this season, missing six of those since suffering the broken collarbone and he can now return to action tonight.

Evans practiced in a limited capacity for the second consecutive week and his status for tonight's game is still undetermined. An announcement may not come until the team announces its inactive players for "Thursday Night Football".

At the time of Evans' injury, it was reported he could return in December, and he has been on track to do so. The original timeline for return was about two months with no setbacks after Evans underwent surgery to repair the clavicle fracture, which the NFL Network described as a "clean break."

The eight-week timeline from the injury would have Evans on track to return for Week 15, when the Buccaneers host the Falcons on "Thursday Night Football" on Dec. 11, or in Week 16, when they play on the road against the Panthers on Dec. 21.

The Buccaneers remain in first place in the NFC South entering Week 15 but the Carolina Panthers are right on their heels with an identical record of 7-6. Tampa Bay would certainly stand to benefit if Evans can return during their playoff push during the final weeks of the regular season.

Buccaneers WR depth chart

  • Mike Evans (activated from IR Wednesday)
  • Chris Godwin
  • Emeka Egbuka
  • Tez Johnson
  • Jalen McMillan (activated from IR Wednesday)
  • Sterling Shepard
  • Ryan Miller
  • Kameron Johnson
  • Jaden Smith (IR – undisclosed)

The Buccaneers' receiving group has dealt with many injuries this season. Rookies Egbuka and Tez Johnson have stepped up while Evans, McMillan and Godwin have been sidelined.

Godwin has played the last three games but has not topped a 70% snap rate in any. Meanwhile, McMillan also had his 21-day practice window opened on Dec. 3 and continues to log limited practices. He was activated from IR alongside Evans. Additionally, Shepard - the 10-year veteran - has provided some consistency and depth.

This story will be updated when new information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Evans injury update: Latest on Buccaneers WR for game vs. Falcons

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect