Bucs' Todd Bowles announces expected return date for star WR Mike Evans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need some help on the outside.

On Tuesday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles updated the status of his team's top two receivers and it's safe to say things aren't good.

After suffering a serious leg injury on Monday night, Tampa Bay's best wideout this season, Chris Godwin, will likely miss the rest of the year, according to Bowles. He also offered a schedule for his other top receiver, Mike Evans. Evans injured his hamstring in the 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and will be out for a while.

Bowles says Evans will likely return after the team's bye week. That would mean his return in Week 12 against the New York Giants. As a result, he will likely miss the next three games.

The Bucs have now lost their two best pass catchers and have to adjust on the fly. In seven weeks, Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Evans had 26 receptions for 335 yards and six touchdowns. The next highest receiver in receptions is Sterling Shepard, who caught eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. That's a steep drop.

Tampa Bay either needs to make a trade or get more from young receivers Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Shepard, while tight end Cade Otton also steps up and shoulders more of the load.