Jalen McMillan was set to enter this season as part of a crowded Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers room before a preseason injury got in the way. Where does the second-year wideout stand in his recovery?
What Is Jalen McMillan’s Injury, and How Is He Progressing Toward a Return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
During a preseason road clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, McMillan went airborne to pull down a pass. On the way down, he was upended by Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., landing awkwardly on his head and neck.
McMillan lay motionless on the field before exiting on his own. He then rode a golf cart to the locker room and was evaluated for a concussion and possible neck injury. He was seen wearing a neck brace as he headed into the locker room after the game. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles termed the ailment a “severe neck sprain.”
McMillan was placed on injured reserve and is expected to return after the Buccaneers’ Week 9 bye. The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud reported last month that McMillan’s injury shouldn’t be career-threatening.
On Monday, Bowles addressed the timetable for McMillan’s return.
“Timetable has not changed,” Bowles said (per Sports Illustrated). “We see him every day. He is doing fine, but we’re just walking in the hallway, so I cannot tell you, physically, how he is doing, but he is doing fine.”
Tampa Bay selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he played in 13 games, starting 12. He caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. He moved the chains with 23 of his grabs. Over a five-game stretch during the back half of the campaign, McMillan registered seven touchdown catches.
McMillan was the team’s fourth-leading receiver, behind perennial 1,000-yard performer Mike Evans (1,004), tight end Cade Otton (600), and Chris Godwin (576). Only Evans had more touchdown receptions (11).
Through two games this season, both wins, Evans paces the Buccaneers with 107 yards on 10 receptions. Rookie Emeka Egbuka has eight receptions for 96 yards and three scores. When McMillan does return, he’ll have to carve out a role within the corps.
Heading into Week 3, Tampa Bay’s offense, led by Baker Mayfield, ranks 21st in the NFL, averaging 310.0 yards per game. The passing game ranks 26th (175.0). The Buccaneers won’t want to rush McMillan back, especially with such a serious injury. But when he does rejoin the attack, he’ll aim to make up for lost time.
