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Jalen McMillan

Buccaneers Activate WRs Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan From IR

December 10th, 2025 at 2:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers have been shorthanded at wide receiver all season, with Jalen McMillan going down during preseason play. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have also missed significant chunks of the year, but Tampa Bay may finally have its deep wideout arsenal back in Week 15.

Evans and McMillan are coming off IR today, the team announced. While it is not a lock either will play in Week 15, this is a good sign one or both will be ready for the Bucs’ Thursday-night matchup with the Falcons. Todd Bowles said (via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud) the duo could return for this game. Activations from IR certainly point to it.

Although the Bucs have seen injuries on offense play a big role in their season, Tampa Bay entered Week 15 in great shape in terms of injury activations. They had only used one (on right tackle Luke Goedeke) leading up to the Evans and McMillan moves. The team still has five activations to cover the rest of the regular season.

Evans has been down with a broken clavicle since Week 4. A December return emerged as the future Hall of Famer’s target window, and he has been pushing to play this week. Evans has yet to log a full practice since being designated for return, but he he has now gone through six limited sessions ahead of this Atlanta game. The Bucs have also seen their offense slow after a first-half surge.

While Evans would undoubtedly benefit from the mini-bye set to follow this Thursday assignment, the Bucs could certainly use him now. Bowles said (via Fox Sports’ Greg Auman) Evans has shown what he has needed to show, pointing to a Week 15 reemergence.

This season brought the longest absence of Evans’ career, and it will end his record-setting streak of 1,000-yard seasons at 11. The Bucs’ No. 1 wide receiver since before Jameis Winston‘s arrival, Evans has been one of the most consistent players in NFL history. He may never have threatened to be the NFL’s best receiver during his 12-year career, but the former top-10 pick has been ultra-reliable as Winston, Tom Brady and Mayfield have stopped through Tampa.

Evans’ presence helped Brady elevate the team to a championship, and it played a pivotal role in Mayfield’s resurgence. The Bucs are suddenly in a fight for the NFC South crown with the Panthers, so having their 6-foot-5 weapon back represents a key variable in this duel.

McMillan has been down since suffering a neck fracture during a preseason game. Initially referred to as a “severely strained neck,” McMillan’s injury injected obvious concern about his status after a productive rookie year. But the Bucs are close to having the 2024 third-round pick back, creating an interesting setup for Mayfield as the team attempts to end the lull that has defined a chunk of its season. The Bucs have fallen to 7-6, but two games against the Panthers loom to potentially repair the damage.

Last year, McMillan finished with 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. Seven of those eight scores came in Tampa Bay’s final five games, as McMillan filled in for Godwin as Evans’ top sidekick. Despite having McMillan healthy (at the time) and re-signing Godwin to a three-year, $66MM deal, the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka at No. 19.

As other teams circled, Tampa Bay made one of the more surprising picks of this draft by adding a standout talent to a solid receiving corps. Egbuka has not disappointed, catching 54 balls for 806 yards and six TDs. He has slowed down over the past month, however, not topping 45 yards in a game in that span.

Egbuka will likely not see his role change much (if at all) with Evans and McMillan returning. But the Ohio State product has needed to shoulder plenty in the Bucs’ passing game due to the receiver injuries, which also included ankle and fibula issues for Godwin. The longtime Evans sidekick is finally rounding back into form, though, after missing nine games. The Bucs are close to having their optimal top quartet available, and we should see the offense Jason Licht and Co. envisioned this offseason when Evans and McMillan make long-awaited comebacks.

Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan Out For Week 14

December 5th, 2025 at 1:21pm CST by Connor Byrne

DECEMBER: 5: Bowles said on Friday (via Fox Sports’ Greg Auman) both Evans and McMillan have made progress this week during practice. However, neither of them will play in Week 14.

DECEMBER 3: Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan could return to practice this week. It’s official in Evans’ case, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Buccaneers are also expected to open McMillan’s practice window on Wednesday, Rapoport adds. The team has 21 days to activate the wideouts from IR.

Evans entered the season tied with the legendary Jerry Rice with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard showings, but injuries will prevent him from claiming the all-time record for himself. After missing time with a hamstring issue earlier this season, Evans broke his clavicle in a Week 7 loss to the Lions. The future Hall of Famer has played in just four games this year and logged 140 yards on 14 catches.

McMillan, meanwhile, has been unable to contribute at all in 2025 after suffering a severe strain and three fractures in his neck during the preseason. As a rookie in 2024, the third-round pick from Washington was a force toward the end of the season. McMillan caught an eye-opening seven touchdowns in his last five games, averaging five catches and 63 yards per contest during that span.

Evans and McMillan were key factors in the NFL’s third-ranked passing offense a year ago. With minimal help from those two and Chris Godwin, who has missed eight games with injuries, the Bucs’ Baker Mayfield-led attack has dropped to a pedestrian 19th. That figures to improve with Evans and McMillan joining Godwin and rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka as Tampa Bay’s top options at receiver.

Despite the myriad injuries they’ve dealt with, the 7-5 Buccaneers are on track to win the NFC South for the fifth year in a row. The 7-6 Panthers are nipping at their heels, though, and the rivals still have to face each other in Weeks 16 and 18. If Evans and McMillan are back for those matchups, it should bolster the Buccaneers’ chances of holding off the Panthers.

Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan Could Return To Practice This Week

December 1st, 2025 at 9:17pm CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers receivers depth chart could soon be whole. Todd Bowles told reporters today that Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan could return to practice this week (via Greg Auman of FOX Sports). The coach did caution that the two players may not necessarily make their returns this Sunday against the Saints.

Evans missed three games earlier this season thanks to a hamstring injury, and his Week 7 return couldn’t have gone much worse. The veteran exited that contest in the first quarter with what was initially deemed a concussion. However, it was later revealed that the receiver had also suffered a broken clavicle, shelving him for several months.

The injury shut the door on Evans extending his 11-season streak of tallying at least 1,000 receiving yards. After finishing the 2024 campaign with 74 catches for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns, Evans’ age-32 season has seen him haul in 14 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown.

McMillan suffered a serious neck injury following an awkward fall during Tampa Bay’s second preseason contest. Bowles admitted that the second-year receiver had to “adjust to wearing a helmet” again (per Auman).

“He’s been running,” Bowles said. “It’s just a matter of him putting on a helmet and seeing where he is strength-wise with his neck. He’ll start doing more this week, and we’ll see exactly what [he can do] — whether it’s individual or whether it’s some more things this week as well — but he will start moving around.”

The 2024 third-round pick had a standout rookie campaign. The Washington product finished the 2024 season with 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns.

With Chris Godwin also missing time, Baker Mayfield has had to operate with a depleted group of wideouts in 2025. The team has gotten an All-Rookie performance from first-round WR Emeka Egbuka, with veteran Sterling Shepard and seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson also helping to soak up some snaps at the position.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan Expected To Begin Practicing This Week

November 30th, 2025 at 9:37am CST by Rory Parks

A recent report suggested Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan is close to seeing regular season game action for the first time in 2025, and Sunday brought more good news in that regard. As Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network writes, McMillan has received clearance from a spine specialist and is expected to begin practicing this week.

McMillan had a strong rookie showing in 2024 but has been on injured reserve since the current season began due to a neck injury he sustained in an exhibition contest in August. Originally described as a “severely strained neck,” we subsequently learned the second-year pro was also dealing with a fracture in his neck, although the ligament issue (the strain) was actually more problematic and was what forced McMillan to wear a brace.

In a follow-up to Rapoport’s story, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times added that McMillan actually suffered three fractures in his neck while reiterating that the strain was the more significant concern. In any event, the Bucs surely will be happy to open McMillan’s practice window, which will give them 21 days to activate him or shut him down for the rest of the season. Obviously, the fact that they are planning to have him return to practice suggests they are optimistic about his ability to play.

And his return will be especially welcome for a 6-5 team that has dealt with major injury concerns this season and that has just a half-game lead in the NFC South as of the time of this writing. McMillan’s fellow wideouts, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, have combined to play in just seven games in 2025, and while Godwin returned to action on a pitch count in Week 12, Evans remains on the shelf with a broken clavicle (though he is also expected to return soon). RB1 Bucky Irving is set to return in Week 13 after a lengthy absence, and starting quarterback Baker Mayfield was unable to finish the Bucs’ Week 12 loss to the Rams due to a sprained AC joint (he will nonetheless play in Week 13).

For a time, it appeared Tampa Bay would easily capture its fifth straight division title, but a three-game losing streak has kept the Panthers (6-6) and even the Falcons (4-7) alive in the NFC South race. The Bucs appear to be getting healthy at the right time, and they may soon have the loaded WR corps they expected to field when they selected Emeka Egbuka in the first round of this year’s draft. 

Egbuka has played well in his rookie campaign, and a WR contingent comprised of him, Evans, Godwin, and McMillan, to go along with Irving and Rachaad White in the offensive backfield and Mayfield under center, will make the Bucs a tough out in the playoffs if they should qualify.

Baker Mayfield “Trending To Play” In Week 13; Bucky Irving To Return From Injury

November 28th, 2025 at 5:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 28: Bowles said (via team writer Scott Smith) that the Buccaneers had made a decision at quarterback, indicating Mayfield will start. Bowles added that the veteran quarterback “looked good” in Friday’s practice and is “trending to play.” Mayfield was upgraded to full participation after practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday; he is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.

Bowles also revealed (via Laine) that Irving would make his return from a seven-game absence caused by foot and shoulder injuries, adding that Tampa Bay would “go with the hot hand” at running back. Rachaad White got the majority of the Buccaneers’ backfield work immediately after Irving went down, but Sean Tucker has received more touches over the last four games.

NOVEMBER 27: A loss against the Rams on Sunday dropped the Buccaneers to 6-5. The team faces a number of questions on the injury front entering Week 13, but there are a number of positive developments in that regard.

Baker Mayfield was unable to finish the game in Week 12 after injuring his left (i.e. non-throwing) shoulder. An MRI revealed Mayfield suffered a low-grade AC joint sprain, and as such he could be an option to play against the Cardinals in Week 13. Much of his availability for the game will come down to pain management.

“If it’s gonna hinder how I play, then I probably won’t go,” the third-year Buccaneer said (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine). “But I won’t know that until later in the week of getting practice reps and see how that goes.”

The coming days will be worth watching closely in this case. Tampa Bay has lost three straight games and four of five. The team still sits atop the NFC South, but the 6-6 Panthers loom as a threat to win the division. Having Mayfield – who has a track record of playing through injuries – on the field during the closing stages of the season would be key for the Bucs. They could have reinforcements coming soon as well.

Receiver Chris Godwin returned to the lineup in Week 12, and it was known at that point running back Bucky Irving was close to suiting up as well. Tampa’s lead back has not played since Week 4, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports he is expected to play this week. Head coach Todd Bowles has since confirmed (via team reporter Scott Bair) Irving will make his return barring any setbacks during practice. As a rookie, the 23-year-old topped 1,500 scrimmage yards; Irving was also productive early this year before going down.

A return to action in that case will thus provide a notable boost to Tampa Bay’s offense. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes (video link) receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are close to being able to play. Evans has been sidelined since October due to a broken clavicle, while McMillan has yet to suit up in 2025. Having a WR at full strength (including standout rookie Emeka Egbuka, of course) would give the Buccaneers plenty of options in the passing game. Per Garafolo, starting defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn pec. He could manage to play late in the regular season as a result.

Tampa Bay could have several key contributors back in the fold by the end of the campaign. Mayfield’s status will remain uncertain for the time being, but no more than a short absence in his case appears likely. The Bucs’ health down the stretch will make for an interesting story to follow as they look to bounce back from how the past few weeks have gone.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan Has Neck Fracture

November 2nd, 2025 at 12:51pm CST by Rory Parks

The Buccaneers surprised many when they selected Emeka Egbuka in the first round (No. 19 overall) of this year’s draft, as they already had a strong WR corps in place. But that corps has been depleted by injury, and several of its top players, including Jalen McMillan, are not guaranteed to return this season. 

McMillan, a 2024 draftee, sustained what was initially called a “severely strained neck” during a preseason game in August, though head coach Todd Bowles recently described the injury as a neck fracture (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). ESPN’s Jenna Laine is unsure why the terminology is different now than it was in August, as McMillan’s MRI would have shown both the ligament damage (the strain) and the fracture.

Bowles characterized the apparent discrepancy as one of semantics in a follow-up text to the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s no different than it was,” he said. “A fracture. It’s the same to me.”

As Laine reiterates, McMillan did not require surgery on his injury, and Stroud says the fracture is actually mild. According to Stroud, the ligament issue, not the break, is what has forced McMillan to wear a brace and is taking the most time to heal.

An update from several weeks ago indicated McMillan remained in a brace and was targeting a December return – initially, the hope was that he would return this week – but Stroud reports McMillan was still in a brace as late as last week. And while Bowles said the Washington alum is improving, he did not offer a timeline for his return.

“He’s getting better. I don’t have a specific date for you, either, but he’s definitely getting better,” Bowles said on Monday. “When he gets out of the brace, we’ll see, but he’s definitely feeling better.”

Franchise stalwart Mike Evans has played in just four games this year and is not expected back until late December (if at all) due to a broken clavicle. Evans’ longtime running mate, Chris Godwin, has appeared in a mere two games thanks to the ankle injury he suffered last season and then a fibula injury he sustained upon his return this year.

Egbuka has been excellent in his first eight games as a pro and has helped the Bucs stay atop the NFC South despite their myriad injuries. Still, the team expressed interest in Marquez Valdes-Scantling before he agreed to sign with the Steelers, and it is fair to wonder whether GM Jason Licht could kick the tires on a different wideout addition from the free agent market or via trade prior to Tuesday’s deadline.

Buccaneers Expected To Be Without Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving In Week 7; Latest On Jalen McMillan

October 18th, 2025 at 12:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 18: As expected, the Buccaneers have ruled out Godwin and Irving for Monday night’s game (via Auman), but head coach Todd Bowles said that Egbuka is a game-time after returning to practice on Saturday. Evans, however, is expected to play, per Auman, giving Mayfield at least one of his best weapons back for a crucial matchup at the top of the NFC that could play a factor in postseason seeding.

OCTOBER 15: Without injuries factored in, Monday night’s Buccaneers-Lions matchup would reside as one of the league’s top games during the first half the season. Tampa Bay is 5-1 despite a slew of maladies on offense, while Detroit is 4-2 amid more injury trouble on the defensive side.

One positional duel Monday presents a fascinating setup, however. The Bucs are heading into Week 7 decimated at wide receiver, while the Lions just faced the Chiefs without five of their top six cornerbacks. Although Tampa Bay held on against a San Francisco team that lost Fred Warner midgame, Detroit’s depleted secondary could not contain Kansas City’s depleted passing attack.

Some advanced looks at the Bucs and Lions’ rosters will be required ahead of this game, as a wave of backups will be involved when Baker Mayfield looks to pass. The team’s receiver situation absorbed two more blows over the past several days. Chris Godwin‘s fibula injury will almost definitely keep him out of Week 7, with Todd Bowles indicating (h/t WTSP’s Evan Closky) neither Godwin nor Bucky Irving is expected to be ready for the Lions tilt. Emeka Egbuka‘s explosive start has also hit a roadblock.

The hamstring injury the first-round pick suffered in Week 6 is likely to keep him out for Week 7, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance. Though, some good news has come out of the Egbuka storyline. The Bucs do not view this hamstring issue as one that will sideline the rookie for as long as Mike Evans has been shelved by his. Evans has missed the past three games. Egbuka has proven a quick study, hauling in 27 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns.

Evans has not been ruled out yet; his status could determine how deep Bucs and Lions fans’ research efforts will need to be. The Bucs finished Sunday’s 49ers matchup with Sterling Shepard — who has stabilized his career after years of injury-plagued Giants seasons — to go with seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson and second-year UDFA Kameron Johnson. This trio will be needed again, perhaps even if Evans is deemed ready to return. They will face a Lions team that has D.J. Reed and backups Khalil Dorsey and Ennis Rakestraw on IR, with Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox having missed the Chiefs game.

Tampa Bay’s receiver stable stood as one of the NFL’s deepest position groups entering OTAs, as it was not known Godwin would need to miss games after his 2024 ankle dislocation. During preseason play, however, Jalen McMillan suffered a neck injury and landed on IR. The 2024 third-round pick remains in a brace, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, but has not experienced a setback. A December return remains the target, Auman adds.

Subbing for Godwin last season, McMillan finished the year on a tear by catching seven touchdown passes over the Bucs’ final five regular-season games. McMillan still has a ways to go on his recovery path, but the Bucs will likely hold one of their injury activations for him. The second-year player represents a wild card of sorts, especially with Shepard still in the mix as an auxiliary piece accompanying Evans, Egbuka and Godwin (presuming he returns from this fibula issue).

Irving remains out with a foot sprain and a shoulder injury later revealed to be a subluxation. The Bucs have not used IR for Irving, Evans, Egbuka or Godwin. This will mark back-to-back absences for Godwin, who needed nearly a year to recover from his ankle injury before sustaining this fibula setback, and three straight for Irving. Rachaad White has made this a notable part of his contract year, while third-year UDFA Sean Tucker sits as the current backup.

Buccaneers’ Jalen McMillan To Start Season On IR; DB Christian Izien To Miss Time

August 19th, 2025 at 1:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Doubling down at wide receiver this offseason by re-signing Chris Godwin and drafting Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers had the makings of one of the deepest receiving groups in recent NFL history. They will not open the season with their full arsenal.

Godwin’s recovery timeline from a second ankle surgery remains murky, and the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud reports the Bucs will not have Jalen McMillan for much of the season. A “severely sprained neck” will lead the second-year wideout to IR to open the season, and no immediate return is expected. McMillan landed on his head while making a leaping catch against the Steelers; he was transported to an area hospital, per ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine.

A 2024 third-round pick, McMillan showed promising replacing Godwin last season. The injury he sustained recently could sideline him until after Tampa Bay’s Week 9 bye, Stroud adds. Additionally, Todd Bowles said (via Stroud) DB Christian Izien sustained an oblique injury that could keep him out to open the season.

It looks more likely than not the Bucs will be without McMillan and Godwin to start the season. The team is not certain to stash Godwin on IR, but one of its IR-return spots next week figures to go to McMillan. The Bucs can place McMillan on IR upon setting their 53-man roster, losing one of their eight in-season activations in the process. This is not a career-threatening neck issue, per Bowles, but it stands to stunt the promising weapon’s growth due to the timing here.

McMillan scored seven touchdowns in the Bucs’ final five games last season, totaling 461 yards on 37 receptions and eight TDs on the year. Becoming Mike Evans‘ top sidekick when Godwin went down with a dislocated ankle, McMillan already stood to see his role diminish thanks to Godwin re-signing and Egbuka joining the team at No. 19 overall. Suddenly, any contributions the Washington alum makes in Year 2 could be viewed as a bonus.

While Tampa Bay’s potential Godwin-Egbuka-McMillan-Evans quartet would be dangerous, the team will be limited here for a while. Fortunately, Evans and Egbuka are healthy as the season nears. Egbuka has impressed, and it is fair to expect the Ohio State all-time receiving leader to have a major role to open the season. Godwin is not a lock to start the season on time, but the Bucs are not certain to stash him on the reserve/PUP list just yet. That is a clear possibility, however, which would put pressure on Egbuka to develop quickly alongside Evans.

Izien will make the Bucs’ 53-man roster, but his role is not locked down just yet. A super-utility player of sorts previously, Izien has seen Tykee Smith move toward the safety spot alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. and third-round rookie Jacob Parrish challenge for the Week 1 slot corner role. Izien would represent a valuable piece of the bench in a scenario in which Smith and Parrish lock in regular roles, and his recent injury could cement that status.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/29/24

May 29th, 2024 at 7:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s only draft pick signing:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

McMillan may have failed to reach the team-leading reception and touchdown numbers of his redshirt sophomore season in 2023, but he made a big enough impression to solidify himself as a third-round pick even after missing four games as a redshirt junior. McMillan broke out in 2022 with 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. Last year, he watched top-10 pick Rome Odunze and second-round selection Ja’Lynn Polk take the lead on the Huskies’ road to a berth in the College Football Playoff Championship. Now will get the opportunity in Tampa Bay to compete for a WR3 spot behind usual suspects Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.