The NFL announced on Monday that wide receiver Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been suspended for one game without pay for his part in the confrontation that occurred on Sunday with New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The league said that Evans was suspended for violating unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules.

Also Read: NFL 2022, Week 2: Sunday highlights

The event happened in the fourth quarter of an NFC South game in New Orleans with the score still tied at three. On third-and-5, Scotty Miller received an incomplete pass from Tom Brady, and Lattimore appeared to start yelling at the seasoned quarterback. Evans raced straight at Lattimore after Leonard Fournette and Lattimore started shoving one other, turning this into a full-fledged brawl.

Also Read: Aaron Rodgers: Still the owner of the Chicago Bears

VP of Football Operations Jon Runyan has issued the suspension after the WR violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8 (g) which prohibits “unnecessary running, driving into, cutting, or throwing the body against or on a player who is out of play or should not have reasonably anticipated such contract by an opponent, before or after the ball is dead. The league also cited Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 that prohibits any action that runs “contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.” 

Also Read: NFL 2022: Top 10 defense in week 2

This is not the first time that the Bucaneers WR has faced suspension. After a game in 2017, Evans shoved the then rookie Lattimore and injured teamated Jameis Winston, for which he was suspended for one game.

Also Read: NFL 2022: Breakdown of Arizona Cardinals’ comeback vs Las Vegas Raiders

Mike Evans can now appeal to revoke the suspension. However, if he fails, the 29-year-old will not return back to action until after Sunday’s home opener against the Green Pay Packers. Furthermore, it will be a big blow to the Buccaneers, who are still without the services with many wide receivers like Chris Godwin and Julio Jones, who were out of action due to injuries.