Mike Evans will miss Week 3 against the Packers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without their best wide receiver in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers. Mike Evans was suspended this week related to an in-game fight during the Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints Week 2 matchup. Evens appealed the suspension, but the appeal was denied Wednesday.
Evans’ suspension was issued by Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations. Jon is the father of Jon Runyan Jr., who is a Packers offensive guard. This situation is messy because Evans’ suspension will take place the same week as the Buccaneers were to play the Packers.
Buccaneers fans on Reddit put the clues together pretty quickly. They appear to be upset about a potential conflict of interest. Some fans suggest on Reddit that Jon Sr. handed out the suspension to help his son’s team out in Week 3.
Evans’ suspension was warranted
On the surface, Evans’ suspension from Jon Sr. may look like collusion to help the Packers, but the suspension for the violent attack was necessary.
Mike Evans has been suspended ONE GAME 🚨 (per @AdamSchefter, via amyflurrywilliams/TT) pic.twitter.com/25dAIAbUQ5
— Overtime (@overtime) September 19, 2022
The NFL selected James Thrash to hear Evans’ appeal on Tuesday. So it wasn’t wholly Jon Sr.’s decision to have Evans serve the suspension this week.
The NFL probably should have had Jon Sr. recuse himself from punishing because the optics make it appear like there’s a conflict of interest. The suspension will be costly for the Buccaneers. Evans is an All-Pro wide receiver who has built a great rapport with quarterback Tom Brady. So far this season, he has eight catches for 132 yards and one touchdown.
The Buccaneers brought wide receiver Cole Beasley to help the team with Evans’ suspension. But Evans, a four-time Pro-bowl athlete, will be hard to replace on Sunday. His actions against the Saints in Week 2 will cost the Buccaneers this week against the Packers.