Mike Evans suspended one game for blindside hit during fight

    Mike Evans blindsided an opponent during a fight on Sunday, and it’s going to cost him a game.

    The NFL has suspended the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver for his hit on New Orleans’ Marshon Lattimore, who was squaring up against injured Bucs QB Jameis Winston during a strange sideline scuffle on Sunday.

    Evans launched himself into Lattimore, yet for some reason wasn’t ejected from the game. Afterward, Evans expressed regret, saying he’d been “childish” and that “I let my emotions get the best of me.” But forgiveness isn’t in the NFL rulebook without a bit of punishment, and so Evans will be sitting out next week’s home game against the Jets. Winston will be out of the lineup as well, sidelined with a sore shoulder.

    “During the third quarter, after a play had ended, you struck an unsuspecting opponent in the back, knocking him to the ground,” NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan told Evans in a letter. “Your conduct clearly did not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”

    Evans has the option to appeal the decision, but must do so within three days.

    Mike Evans is going to sit out a game for his hit on New Orleans’ Marshon Lattimore. (AP)

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    Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.

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