Mike Evans likely a game-time decision for Buccaneers in Week 1

Mike Evans may not play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 on Sunday.

We may not know until 90 minutes before kickoff if Mike Evans will play or not in Week 1.

Evans has been dealing with a hamstring injury and has missed practice the last three days for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to James Palmer of The NFL Network, the Buccaneers are going to wait until right up until kickoff before ruling Evans out of the ball game. He will be a huge game-time decision for the Buccaneers, as they take on the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints.

Can the Buccaneers beat the Saints in New Orleans without Mike Evans?

According to Odds Shark, the Saints are laying 4.5 points at home vs. the visiting Buccaneers. Though the Saints should be favored at home, they aren’t an overwhelming favorite by any means because they are the two teams in the NFC South expected to contend for a division ground. But if Evans can’t play, that means new Buccaneers starting quarterback Tom Brady could be in trouble.

While Brady has other great skill position players to rifle the ball to, this means the Saints’ secondary would have an easier time keeping the Buccaneers’ vaunted aerial assault in check. Every divisional win will be crucial this year. Though the Carolina Panthers are rebuilding, the Atlanta Falcons will push for a playoff spot as well, as Dan Quinn’s team usually plays well in the division.

As for the Buccaneers, a convincing road win over the Saints would be a terrific tone-setter for how things will go for them this year. These aren’t the same, old sorry Buccaneers anymore. If they don’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2007 this year, something went horribly wrong down on the Florida Gulf Coast. They may not win on Sunday, but this team should win plenty.

Evans’ status won’t tip the game either way, but Tampa Bay may not be able to win without him.