Buccaneers Receive Key Reinforcement in NFC South Race

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t giving up on their season just yet.

Despite their rough 4-6 record, they’re still very much alive in the NFC South race, sitting just one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the loss column. Now, they’re getting some much-needed help at the perfect time.

Mike Evans and Tristan Wirfs both returned to practice Wednesday, though in limited roles. It’s a huge development for a team trying to make a late-season push.

Evans, the team’s star receiver, looks ready to return after sitting out with a nagging hamstring injury since Week 7. He’s been itching to get back on the field.

“I could have tried to push it for Week 10,” Evans told ESPN’s Jenna Laine. But he played it smart and took the extra time to heal.

The timing couldn’t be better for the Bucs’ offense.

Wirfs’s return is a bit more surprising. The standout left tackle hurt his knee (an MCL sprain) against the 49ers just before the bye week, and most people thought he’d be out much longer. The bye week might have saved his season.

They’ll need both players badly this week. The Giants are coming to town with one of the NFL’s scariest pass rushes – they’ve already racked up 36 sacks this year, second-best in the league.

Wirfs has been absolutely dominant this year when healthy. The numbers back it up – Pro Football Focus gives him an impressive 83.5 grade, putting him among the NFL’s elite offensive linemen.

Getting Evans back could be a game-changer too. The Giants have had real trouble covering top receivers this year, and Evans is definitely that – he’s made the Pro Bowl five times for a reason.

With both stars potentially back in the lineup, the Bucs might just have what it takes to make things interesting in the NFC South race down the stretch.

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