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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Injured Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans hopes to return to the lineup Sunday against NFC South rival New Orleans.
Jackson is pulling for Evans to return to the lineup as soon as possible. At the same time, the veteran receiver reiterated the importance of being careful with the decision.
Although Lovie Smith would not say whether he expects the receiver to play, the coach did note Evans "has been able to do more and more each day,Cheap NFL Jerseys, which is a good thing."
"If it's not broken,Wholesale MLB Jerseys, I think I could play," Evans added. "That's my mentality,Jerseys From China, but we'll see what happens."
"They haven't given an official ruling, but hopefully I'll be out there," Evans said.
The coach smiled when told Evans feels he's healthy enough to play.
Smith repeatedly has stressed over the past month,Wholesale Jerseys, though, that the Bucs take a cautious approach to bringing any player back from a hamstring injury.
"I feel real good. The training staff did a real good job on my hammies. They feel better than they ever have. Hopefully,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, I'll get to go this week," Evans said.
The second-year pro who's one of Jameis Winston's top targets has been sidelined since the middle of August with a sore right hamstring. He sat out the Buccaneers' 42-14 season-opening loss to Tennessee,Cheap Jerseys From China, but practiced on a limited basis for the third straight day Friday and is listed as questionable to play against the Saints.
"I don't know if I could (make a 28-point difference), but it was hard to watch my team," Evans said. "I was capable of playing. Hopefully this week I will get the go-ahead."
Evans had 68 receptions for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie in 2014, when he and Vincent Jackson teamed to become the first pair of receivers to top 1,000 yards in the same season.
"It's going to help us. We all know that," Jackson said. "We just want him to make sure he's smart and going to be healthy for the majority of the season."
"He wants that, and you want them to say they're ready to go," Smith said. "Mike wasn't ready to go last week. He's closer this week."
Evans said it was "extremely tough" to watch the opener and not be able to help the team.
The receiver said the same thing last week after practicing for the first time since aggravating the injury during Tampa Bay's second preseason game.
Winston struggled in his NFL debut, completing less than 50 percent of his passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. |
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