SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Detroit Lions 24-9 on Monday night, dropping to 5-2 on the season after their offense sputtered through three consecutive three-and-outs to start the game.
The loss was compounded by a devastating injury to wide receiver Mike Evans, who suffered a broken clavicle in the second quarter and will miss most, if not the rest, of the season, head coach Todd Bowles confirmed in his postgame press conference.
“It’s never good to see one of your stars go down like that, especially with him just coming back,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “You know, from seeing him work each day in person, whether he’s healthy or hurt, just how he attacks each day. It just sucks.”
Evans was carted off the field after his helmet bounced off the ground during the play. The 12th-year veteran had missed the previous three weeks with a hamstring injury and was making his return to the lineup.
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The Buccaneers’ high-octane offense never found its rhythm against Detroit’s aggressive defense. Baker Mayfield threw 50 passes in the loss, with the team abandoning the running game in the second half.
“As a skill group, we didn’t connect on some early plays, behind the sticks, a lot of get back on track plays,” Mayfield said. “And allowing their defensive line and linebackers to get some pressure and pin their ears back.”
The Lions capitalized on Tampa Bay’s early struggles, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs breaking free for a 78-yard touchdown run that highlighted the Bucs’ defensive miscues.
“We miss fit again,” Bowles said of the long touchdown run. “We busted two simple things. And we gave them plays.”
Despite the loss, rookie receiver Tez Johnson scored his second career touchdown, connecting with Mayfield for a 20-yard score in the second half. Johnson has now scored touchdowns in consecutive games.
The defense provided some highlights, with cornerback Jamel Dean recording his second interception in as many games, leading to a Chase McLaughlin field goal before halftime.
Beyond Evans’ season-ending injury, the Buccaneers also lost pass rusher Hassan Reddick, who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter. Reddick was a key free agent acquisition for Tampa Bay’s defense.
The injuries add to an already lengthy list for the Buccaneers, who have been without several key players throughout the season, including Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan.
The Buccaneers remain in first place in the NFC South despite the loss. They will face division rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Week 8.
“We’re sitting at five and two now,” Mayfield said. “We would have loved to have been six and one, but we’re not. We’re five and two. And we have a short week and a divisional opponent.”
Bowles emphasized the need for better execution moving forward.
“When you’re in a heavyweight fight and you’re going to cross your T’s and dot your I’s, the other team’s going to win,” Bowles said. “Starting with me, I definitely have to coach it better.”
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