Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) hopes to return after bye week - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans says it has been difficult being sidelined as Tampa Bay has dropped three straight games, including an overtime loss at Kansas City on Monday night.

Speaking for the first time publicly since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7, Evans told ESPN it «would have been close» for him to return this week at home against the San Francisco 49ers. Evans hopes to return after the Week 11 bye, when the Buccaneers visit the New York Giants in Week 12. Sunday's game will mark the third in a row he is sidelined — tied for the most he has missed in a season in his 11-year career.

«It's extremely tough,» Evans said. «Obviously, everybody knows the competitor that I am, and they know I want to be out there with my team and help us win ballgames, but I can't rush it and I'll be back when I'm back and hopefully that'll be after the bye week and I'll be myself.»

The Buccaneers been feeling the weight of losing not only Evans but also Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin. Godwin, who was tied with Evans and three others for the most touchdown receptions in the NFL (5) through the first six weeks, also was leading the NFL with 50 total catches. He suffered a dislocated left ankle the night Evans went down and has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season.

«My heart was with Chris that game,» Evans said. «He was having a phenomenal year, All-Pro season, one of our leaders goes down like that. That's more what I was worried about because with a hamstring — I get those every year — so I was just worried about him really.»

Godwin, who underwent surgery two weeks ago, said last week that it would be a «best-case scenario» for him to possibly return for the playoffs. Both receivers are