As the Bucs prepare to take on the 49ers on Sunday, they would still be missing out on key receivers. With Chris Godwin out for the season, the Bucs are yet to hear a positive news on Mike Evans. Since being sidelined with a hamstring injury in week 7, Evans remains a notable absence in the Bucs’ offense.

Before going down against the Ravens, Evans had already missed two practice sessions. His troubles started from Tampa’s week 6 encounter against the Saints which only got worse over time. Although the Bucs’ head coach Todd Bowles described Evans’ injury as a “Moderate hamstring strain.” It seems he won’t be back before the Bucs take on the Giants in week 12. Well, the bye week in between would surely help Mike to continue his recovery.

However, he might not be the only player who is set to miss out on Sunday. Both Greg Gaines and Jalen McMillan are considered the biggest question marks ahead of the 49ers clash. Even Bowles gave an update on McMillan’s probable unavailability because of a hamstring, “It’s just aggravated. It took a turn for the worse Friday, and it didn’t get any better yet. We’re waiting to see how he feels.”

Amid all those notable absentees, the Bucs may have found some respite in Evans return from injury. After the Buccaneers’ overtime loss against the Chiefs 30-24, Evans was captured participating in a walkthrough the next day. This could mean that the Bucs may get him back before his expected return in week 12. Seeing Evans out on the practice field was surely encouraging for all those Bucs fans out there.

Without the receiver, the Bucs are yet to win a single game losing against the Ravens, Falcons, and now the Chiefs’ last week. But it’s not like Baker Mayfield has found his options limited without his star receivers. As TE Cade Otton has excelled at the opportunity given on the offense.

Cade Otton steps up as the Bucs carry on without key receivers

Although the Bucs have heavily missed their Pro-Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, they may have found a gem in Cade Otton. In their absence, Mayfield’s favorite target is turning out to be the third-year TE. Over the last three weeks, Otton has completed 258 receiving yards alongside three TDs. His receiving yards top the NFL charts among other TEs, thereby showing his credibility on the offense. Even Mayfield couldn’t help but praise Otton for his contributions in the past few weeks, “It’s all Cade. He’s a special player that is so smart. He knows where to be. He knows exactly what we’re trying to get done within whatever scheme we’re calling. Run or pass, and he understands everything.”

But it isn’t the first time that Mayfield and Otton have combined together in the Bucs offense. They came together for a game-winning TD last season against the Falcons in week 13. Well, the 25-year-old also spoke about him trying to step up in the absence of Godwin and Evans, “Seeing the way Mike and Chris have operated my whole time here. I just try and step up in their place. Obviously, they’re a huge part of our offense and will be whenever they come back. But I think just as a group, we really challenged ourselves, and coach Coen challenged us to, as a collective, raise our game.”

However, the question is, can Otton and Mayfield continue to work together until Evans returns to full fitness? For now, it looks like they might, but Evans eventual return would surely minimize the pressure on those two moving forward.