Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Justin Evans has undergone foot surgery.

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians told the Tampa Bay Times‘ Rick Stroud on Wednesday that Evans has been dealing with a “heel issue.” Doctors have required Evans to wear a walking boot while he's recovering from his surgery.

Evans sat out six of the Bucs' last seven games in 2018 due to a toe injury. Prior to his surgery, Evans didn't participate in any of Tampa Bay's offseason activities. Wearing a hard boot on his left leg on the sidelines “was a new sight” during the Bucs' first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday, per the Tampa Bay Times' Eduardo A. Encina.

Evans started the season off well by scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. He also recorded an interception against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger two weeks later.

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However, Evans injured his toe during a loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 10. He suited up for the game against the Carolina Panthers three weeks later, but “played just over a third of the team's defensive snaps that day,” per Encina.

Tampa Bay eventually placed him on season-ending injured reserve in Week 16. Consequently he became the Bucs' third starting defensive back to land in injured reserve. Encina remains skeptical Evans will be ready once training camp kicks off in August.

On that note, Arians and Co. can only hope Justin Turner can recover sooner than expected from his heel injury.