Mike Evans made his much-anticipated return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, hauling in his first catch since suffering a collarbone injury in Week 7, a 12-yard gain that got the crowd to its feet.

Evans lined up on a short-to-intermediate route, and quarterback Baker Mayfield hit him in stride for the first down, a tidy little moment that felt bigger than its box-score value. The play capped a careful reintroduction . Coaches kept his snaps limited and dialed up clearer looks to get him back in rhythm without risking a setback. Article Continues Below

Tampa Bay needed the lift. The Buccaneers have battled injuries across their receiving corps this season, and getting Evans, a proven chain mover and red-zone threat, back, even on a pitch count, changes how def

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