The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been bitten by the injury bug this season. Many of their top players have missed games due to injury, and that has been a constant throughout the season. One position that has been hit the hardest is wide receiver. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have missed a majority of the season.
Jalen McMillan has yet to play in a game after suffering broken bones in his neck during a preseason game. A recent report on his health continues to leave the door open for a return this season.
Todd Bowles Speaks on a Potential Jalen McMillan Return
Last month, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was asked about McMillan, who suffered broken bones in his neck along with a severe sprain. He said he wasn’t sure when the wide receiver would return to practice but noted he was making progress. Bowles added that McMillan was still wearing a neck brace, and that was the only update he could provide.
Two weeks later, Bowles said McMillan was still in the brace but showing signs of improvement. “He’s getting better, but necks are not like ankles or arms where you see progress where you can lift on ’em and work ’em out when you’re still on the brace and you say, ‘Oh, he looks good today, he’s getting stronger, he is getting faster.’ It’s a neck injury. And those, like you said, it’s a life thing if it doesn’t heal the right way. So they’re saying it’s healing the right way,” he said on the Ira Kaufman podcast (per Huskies Wire).
Last week, when Bowles was asked about McMillan’s recovery and the chance of a December return, he said the team will have to see how the healing process goes.
McMillan would provide a significant boost to an offense that is thin at the receiver position. Still, it appears unlikely that he will play anytime soon. Last season, McMillan appeared in 13 games, catching 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns..
Bucs Relying on Rookies at Wide Receiver
The Buccaneers have relied on many young wide receivers to lead their passing game with the veterans out. Rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson have played well for the Bucs, allowing the offense to maintain its rhythm.
Egbuka has a WR Impact Score of 80.0 this season, which ranks 20th in the NFL. He is one of the favorites for NFL Rookie of the Year.
Tampa Bay is once again having a strong season, sitting at 6-3 and 1.5 games ahead of the Carolina Panthers for first place in the division. The Bucs are likely headed back to the postseason, and being at full strength when they get there will be crucial.
