By Blessing 
Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into their Monday Night Football clash with the Detroit Lions hoping to build on an already impressive start to the season. As always, Evans was expected to play a major role in Tampa Bay’s offense — until a frightening moment changed everything.
Late in the first half, Evans took a hit that sent him to the sidelines for good.
Video Shows Mike Evans’ Head Slamming into Turf and Going Unconscious
The injury happened when Evans went deep for a pass from Baker Mayfield. He pulled the ball in but landed awkwardly, striking both his knees and head hard on the turf. The impact caused him to lose control of the ball, and he stayed down as the crowd fell silent.
Medical staff quickly ran to his side, helping him off the field after several tense minutes. Evans managed to walk under his own power, supported by an athletic trainer. Moments later, though, ESPN cameras captured him being carted to the locker room.
Sideline reporter Laura Rutledge revealed that the veteran receiver was suffering from a right shoulder injury and appeared to be in “excruciating pain.”
The Buccaneers later confirmed that Evans had been ruled out for the rest of the game with both a concussion and a shoulder injury. Before his exit, he had been targeted four times but was unable to record a catch.
With Evans sidelined, Tampa Bay turned to its remaining wideouts — Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, and Ryan Miller.
The team was already without Chris Godwin Jr., who missed the matchup due to a fibula injury, leaving the Buccaneers thin at receiver as they tried to rally without one of their most dependable stars.