Buccaneers activate wideouts Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan ahead of Thursday night's game vs. Falcons

Tampa is getting healthy on offense at the right time

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are, at long last, getting healthy. Tampa Bay activated star wide receiver Mike Evans as well as second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan on Wednesday, a day before they are set to take on the Atlanta Falcons on "Thursday Night Football."

Evans, 32, broke his collarbone and suffered a concussion in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, landing hard after nearly reeling in a deep pass from Baker Mayfield. That had been Evans' first game back since Week 3, when he suffered a hamstring injury. Coach Todd Bowles said after the Lions game that the collarbone injury would keep Evans "out mostly toward the end of the year."

Evans has 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown, so while his record-tying streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons is over, the fact that he's returning on the earlier side of the timeline set by Bowles is a very good sign for Tampa Bay.

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McMillan, 23, reeled in 37 catches for 461 yards and eight scores last season as a third-round rookie out of Washington; the eight touchdown catches were third-most by a rookie in franchise history. Expected to open the season as a starter, McMillan landed awkwardly after trying to catch a high throw in the preseason and suffered a "severely sprained neck" that had him in a brace for several months.

Buccaneers finally getting healthy

Tampa Bay has battled a litany of injuries this season. Star left tackle Tristan Wirfs underwent knee surgery shortly before the regular season began and missed the first three games of the season. Likewise, wide receiver Chris Godwin, recovering from a severe leg/ankle injury last season, did not debut until Week 4. Godwin then missed Weeks 6-11 with a fibula injury. Bucky Irving recently returned to the lineup after missing extensive time due to foot and shoulder injuries. Up front, right tackle Luke Goedeke missed extensive time with a foot injury and right guard Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

Despite that, Tampa Bay is 7-6 and atop the NFC South. Mayfield has thrown for 2,722 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker played well in Irving's absence, and standout first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka has shined with 806 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He and seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson (five touchdowns) have been on the receiving end of more than half of Mayfield's touchdowns.

Tampa Bay is yet to play a snap this season with its top three wide receivers -- Evans, Egbuka and Godwin -- on the field together.

Playoff impact

Evans' and McMillan's expected returns could provide a boost to ensure Tampa Bay captures its fifth straight division title, especially considering the Buccaneers face division opponents three times over the next four weeks, including the Panthers twice.

• Week 15: Atlanta Falcons
• Week 16: at Carolina Panthers
• Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
• Week 18: Carolina Panthers