Bucs star WR Mike Evans (hamstring) misses practice

Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans missed practice on Thursday because of a hamstring issue.

Head coach Todd Bowles said that Evans "tweaked his leg" and it was a "nagging" issue before the team's 51-27 victory over the host New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Evans had left the game in the second quarter and played sparingly afterward, totaling two catches for 34 yards.

Bowles said Evans, 31, is "getting better" and is expected to be back at practice leading up to the team's next game on Monday night against the visiting Baltimore Ravens.

Evans has started all six games this season and has 25 receptions on 42 targets for 310 yards and a league-leading five touchdown receptions.

He also had been on the injury report with a knee issue before Week 4's game but played against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Also missing practice on Thursday were cornerback Jamel Dean (hamstring), tight end Payne Durham (calf) and wide receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle). Wide receiver Rakim Jarrett (knee) was designated to return from injured reserve and was limited in practice.

Evans is pursuing Jerry Rice's record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2024 after hitting that mark in each of his first 10 years with the Bucs. He has started 159 of 160 career regular-season games and has 787 receptions for 11,990 yards and 99 touchdowns.

Tampa Bay selected him seventh overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection including 2023, when he led the NFL with 13 TD receptions, Evans signed a two-year, $41 million contract in March that includes $29 million guaranteed.