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Tampa Bay Buccaneers News & Rumors

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.

NFC Trade Notes: Mafe, Woolen, Shaheed, Cowboys, Packers, Buccaneers, Lions

November 1st, 2025 at 10:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

As one of three NFC West teams sporting a five-win record, the Seahawks do not fit the profile of a seller at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, a pair of notable defenders continue to be mentioned in trade talk.

Cornerback Tariq Woolen remains a name to watch ahead of the November 4 deadline. The most recent update on his status indicated he could remain in Seattle. Things could change in short order, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Seattle prefers to keep Woolen in place through the remainder of the season.

The former Pro Bowler has struggled this season and his rookie contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. The same is also true of edge rusher Boye Mafe, who could very well depart in free agency this spring. As such, the 26-year-old is worth monitoring on the trade front. Schefter adds, though, that the Seahawks would also prefer to keep him.

Here are some other trade notes from around the NFC:

  • In terms of receivers, one of the top candidates to move shortly is Rashid Shaheed. The Saints have been connected to an asking price of a Day 2 pick for the pending free agent. In particular, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football passes along New Orleans asked an AFC suitor for a third-round selection. Shaheed would provide a notable vertical addition to any acquiring team, but a price that high would be a surprise for a rental. It will be interesting to see if the Saints lower their asking price in the coming days.
  • Logan Wilson‘s trade request is still in effect, and he is among the defenders worth monitoring on the Bengals. A number of teams have made calls recently, and Schefter reports the Cowboys are among them. Dallas could stand to use one (or more) defensive additions given the team’s play on that side of the ball, and the team is not only in the market for rentals. Wilson – who has 65 starts to his name – is under contract through 2027.
  • The Packers faced questions about their secondary entering the campaign, but the team sits 15th against the pass so far. Green Bay is among the teams looking into corners on the trade market, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Tyson Campbell, Roger McCreary, Michael Carter II and (most recently) Jaire Alexander have already been dealt ahead of the deadline. Other corners could be on the move, however, and with nearly $12MM in cap space the Packers can afford a rental addition.
  • Sitting atop the NFC South, the Buccaneers could look to add. It would nonetheless come as a surprise if a notable acquisition were to be made. Greg Auman of Fox Sports predicts Tampa Bay will (if anything) only be in the market for a depth addition in the rental market. Adding at the linebacker spot or along the edge would be feasible, per Auman, but a major move should not be expected.
  • Another team not viewed as a serious buyer is the Lions. Defensive depth could still be targeted, though, and Russini writes safety and defensive line are among the positions being explored. Detroit is also among the teams which have called the Bengals about their defensive trade candidates (including Wilson but also cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt). With over $22MM in cap space, the Lions could afford a rental with ease.

Steelers To Sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling

October 27th, 2025 at 6:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Rodgers has not thrown his weight around in Pittsburgh to the degree he did in New York, but one of his former targets will join him in Pennsylvania. Marquez Valdes-Scantling‘s Steelers workout will produce a deal, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

This marks another nomadic year for Valdes-Scantling, who spent time with the Seahawks and 49ers. In 2024, he moved from Kansas City to Buffalo to New Orleans. This Pittsburgh trek does provide a notable reunion, as Rodgers and MVS played together from 2018-21 in Green Bay.

[RELATED: Steelers Eyeing Second Season With Rodgers]

The Buccaneers also showed interest in the veteran deep threat, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz, who adds the Steelers were interested after his Seahawks release. Dropped by two teams since August, Valdes-Scantling preferred the Rodgers reunion at this stage, per Schultz.

Now 31, MVS has lost considerable value since his three-year, $30MM Chiefs pact. But the Steelers will hope some familiarity can help — even if this is probably not the end of their much-rumored wideout pursuit. They were previously linked to Jakobi Meyers and Calvin Ridley.

Valdes-Scantling is still collecting guaranteed money from the Seahawks, who gave him a one-year deal worth $4MM. Seattle ate $3MM fully guaranteed by cutting MVS out of training camp. The reunion with Klint Kubiak proved short-lived, but the receiver-needy 49ers gave him a shot. That partnership ended earlier this month with an injury settlement. The eighth-year veteran appears ready to contribute in Pittsburgh, though Fowler adds this is likely a practice squad deal to start.

After making aggressive pursuits of receivers — most notably Brandon Aiyuk — last year, the Steelers are at it again. They have not seen anyone emerge as a reliable D.K. Metcalf complementary piece. Months ago, they came up as a potential destination for ex-MVS/Rodgers Packers teammate Allen Lazard. No move has transpired, but the team has been tied to the WR market once again. With Jaylen Waddle and Chris Olave not expected to be moved, pickings appear slim for teams eyeing help here ahead of the November 4 deadline.

The Steelers, who did see Calvin Austin return to action Sunday night after a two-game absence, do not have a second wideout beyond 175 yards. Austin sits at 167, with Roman Wilson at 110. Tight ends have served as Rodgers auxiliary options. Valdes-Scantling played in five 49ers games this season, catching four passes for 40 yards. After being a Bills in-season release, MVS caught on with the Saints and impressed, posting 17 catches for 385 yards and four TDs.

This reunion comes after Rodgers influenced the Jets to sign Lazard and Randall Cobb in 2023, when they also hired ex-Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett to the same position and signed ex-Green Bay blocker Billy Turner. Rodgers later pushed for Davante Adams at the 2024 trade deadline, getting his wish. The Steelers are more or less throwing a dart by placating Rodgers via this transaction, but it would not surprise to see MVS — who was part of Rodgers’ third and fourth MVP seasons (2020-21) — see time soon due to his familiarity with Pittsburgh’s high-profile QB.

The Bucs are currently without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. And Emeka Egbuka recently returned from a hamstring injury. For now, they will hope Godwin — who is not on IR — can make a near-future return to complement Egbuka. The team still has Sterling Shepard as a No. 3 option in that reality, with rookie Tez Johnson being utilized amid the injuries as well.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/25

October 25th, 2025 at 5:29pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s slate of games:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Recently named QB2 Shedeur Sanders found his way to the injury report today with a back injury. By elevating Zappe, Cleveland is ensuring Sanders won’t play tomorrow, since in order to have three quarterbacks dressed for gameday, all three passers must be on the 53-man roster. Zappe will back up Dillon Gabriel, and Sanders will likely be in sweats. Similarly in Carolina, with Bryce Young set to sit this week, Hooker has been called up to back up Andy Dalton.

Both Buccaneers quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Teddy Bridgewater, were on the injury report this week, though neither received a “questionable” injury designation as result of their ailments. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that both passers are expected to be available, but with Bazelak taking up a spot on the active roster, it seems likely that only one other quarterback will be suited up alongside the practice squad callup. Because Bazelak’s not on the 53-man roster, only two passers can be active. Tampa Bay can still designate Bazelak as the inactive third quarterback, but doing so would seemingly be making this elevation moot.

There is no corresponding move necessary for Philadelphia to add Cooper. The team received a two-game roster exemption after signing veteran defensive end Brandon Graham, so they had an open roster spot.

For Basham in Carolina and Jennings in New England, this will be their third and final standard gameday practice squad elevations. If either of their respective teams want them to play in another game this season, they will need to first be signed to the 53-man roster.

NFL Minor Transactions: 10/22/25

October 22nd, 2025 at 7:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s midweek minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Designated to return from IR: QB Will Howard
  • Waived (with injury settlement): T Gareth Warren

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While several players were designated to return from injured reserve today, Norton and Johnson’s designations took place back on 8/26, the roster cut deadline. The Texans are in danger of being without their top three receivers in Week 8. Tank Dell is already on IR, but Nico Collins and Christian Kirk’s statuses for the weekend are up in the air as Collins deals with a concussion and Kirk has been dealing with n hamstring injury.

Not that they’ve needed him, since Aaron Rodgers has looked a bit more effective than he was in his days with the Jets, but Howard is nearing a return to the roster for the remainder of his rookie season. It will be interesting to see where the sixth-rounder slots in on the depth chart as he adds another level of security behind the 41-year-old Rodgers.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/22/25

October 22nd, 2025 at 6:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After getting cut from the roster earlier today, McAtamney returns to his usual post on the practice squad. No corresponding move is necessary to make room for him on the practice squad, since McAtamney hails from Northern Ireland and qualifies for the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and doesn’t count against the 16-man limit.

Mike Evans Suffers Broken Clavicle, Expected To Miss Most Of Season

October 22nd, 2025 at 12:05pm CST by Ben Levine

OCTOBER 22: Evans is set to undergo surgery this week, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The decorated wide receiver suffered a clean break, per Rapoport, who points to a roughly two-month recovery timetable — or a bit sooner. That would align with Monday night’s reporting, pegging an Evans return around Christmas.

OCTOBER 20: The snakebitten Buccaneers offense took another significant hit this evening. Mike Evans suffered a broken clavicle during tonight’s loss, coach Todd Bowles told reporters (via Greg Auman of FOX Sports). The injury is expected to sideline the wide receiver for the majority of the season, per James Palmer of The Athletic.

“He’ll be out mostly toward the end of the year,” Bowles told reporters (via Auman). “We’ll see what happens.”

Fortunately, it sounds like Bowles may have been estimating the worst-case scenario. Jordan Schultz reports that the wideout’s initial timeline is six to eight weeks, which would give him a couple of games before the playoffs.

This is a brutal blow for the veteran, who was just returning from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the apst three games. Evans suffered this latest injury in the first half of tonight’s game after nearly hauling in a deep pass from Baker Mayfield. The receiver stayed on the ground for a few moments before heading to the sideline. Evans was later carted to the locker room, with reports indicating he had suffered a shoulder injury and a concussion. The 32-year-old was held without a catch on four targets.

With Evans expected to miss much of the rest of the season, his historic streak of 11 straight seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards will come to an end. The receiver has also averaged more than 11 touchdowns per season over the past five years. In four games this season, the veteran has hauled in 14 catches for 140 yards and a score.

The Buccaneers’ offense has dealt with its fair share of injuries in 2025. Chris Godwin didn’t make his season debut until Week 4 after rehabbing the fractured ankle he suffered during the 2024 campaign. Godwin got into two games before suffering a fibula injury that’s sidelined him for the past two weeks. The Buccaneers have also been without Jalen McMillan, who finished his rookie season with 500 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. Even running back Bucky Irving has missed a handful of games while dealing with foot and shoulder issues.

As a result of the injuries, the Buccaneers have had to lean on their depth. First rounder Emeka Egbuka has stepped up, hauling in 31 catches for 527 yards and five touchdowns. The rookie was questionable for tonight’s game with a hamstring injury but ended up being active. Seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson has hauled in scores in back-to-back weeks, while Sterling Shepard and Kameron Johnson continue to get offensive looks.

Still, while the Buccaneers have managed to get some offensive production elsewhere, the team will surely miss Evans as the season goes on. It sounded like Bowles didn’t dismiss a late-season return, so as long as the Buccaneers can remain in the hunt, there’s a chance they’ll get their WR leader back on the field before the postseason.

Egbuka not missing any games due to his hamstring issue giving the team a rare break at this injury-battered position. With Godwin uncertain moving forward, the Bucs will need to lean on their first-round pick. McMillan is not due back until at least December. While Tampa Bay could have its full receiver arsenal back by the holidays, the team will need to both lean on Egbuka and hope Godwin — who was not placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season and has avoided IR related to his current injury — can return soon.

As for Evans, this deals a bit of a blow to his free agency stock. Playing an age-32 season, the likely Hall of Fame-bound pass catcher is on an expiring contract. He agreed to a two-year, $41MM deal just before free agency in 2024; although the Bucs have a well-established track record of re-signing key players shortly before free agency or early during the legal tampering period, the Egbuka pick and three-year, $66MM Godwin accord complicate Evans’ Tampa future. Evans also missed three games due to hamstring trouble in 2024.

Evans also said he will consider retirement after this season. Plenty of variables exist for the Bucs at wide receiver, but the team should still be well positioned by the end of the regular season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/20/25

October 20th, 2025 at 6:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It didn’t take long for Arthur Maulet to earn a full-time spot on the Lions active roster. The veteran cornerback just joined the organization earlier this month, and he already had one promotion in Week 6. He’ll likely continue seeing a rotational role in Detroit’s secondary moving forward, although his addition is partly due to absences from Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed.

The Patriots snagged a linebacker from the Chargers today. Caleb Murphy has some familiarity with Mike Vrabel, as the former Titans coach added the linebacker as an undrafted free agent back in 2023. Murphy has gotten into 14 games in stints with the Titans and Chargers, compiling 17 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Former Bucs RB Doug Martin Dies At 36

October 20th, 2025 at 12:08am CST by Sam Robinson

Doug Martin, a two-time Pro Bowl running back who played seven NFL seasons, died Saturday. Martin’s family announced his passing; he was 36. No cause of death has been confirmed, according to ESPN.com.

Spending six seasons with the Buccaneers and one with the Raiders, Martin earned a first-team All-Pro accolade in 2015. Although Mike Alstott received three such honors as a fullback, Martin is the only pure running back to do so in the Bucs’ 49-season history.

The Bucs drafted Martin in the first round out of Boise State in 2012, plugging him into their starting lineup immediately. The former WAC and Mountain West standout produced a career-high 1,454 rushing yards as a rookie, gliding to a Pro Bowl perch. Martin added a career-high 472 receiving yards, totaling the second-most scrimmage yards (1,926) of any Buccaneer (behind James Wilder‘s 1984 season) in their history. Martin’s 1,926 scrimmage yards also ranks fifth in league history among rookies.

Tampa Bay chose Martin after ranking 30th in rushing in 2011, finishing out Raheem Morris‘ first head coaching run. The team added Martin in Greg Schiano‘s first offseason in charge. Although the Mark Dominik regime drafted Martin, the “Muscle Hamster” endeared himself to Jason Licht‘s staff during his rookie contract.

Martin struggled to approach his lofty rookie-year numbers in 2013 and ’14, and the Bucs bottomed out in a 2-14 showing in his third season. The team’s first Jameis Winston-led offense benefited from a Martin resurgence. After failing to eclipse 500 rushing yards during his previous two campaigns, Tampa Bay’s fourth-year back soared to a 1,402-yard showing in his contract year. The All-Pro slate keyed a re-signing, with the Licht blueprint of retaining a core player after his rookie deal expires surfacing in the GM’s second year. Tampa Bay kept Martin on a five-year, $35.75MM deal ($15MM guaranteed).

The decision did not pan out for the Bucs. Martin suffered a hamstring injury that significantly limited him in 2016, an eight-game season for the running back. Martin stepped away from the team, after being a healthy scratch in Week 16 of that season, ahead of its season finale. He then drew a three-game PED suspension to open the 2017 season. The Bucs released Martin following the ’17 season, which featured 406 rushing yards in 11 games. He averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in back-to-back seasons to close his Tampa tenure.

The Raiders provided a landing spot in Jon Gruden‘s first year back in Oakland, giving Martin a one-year deal worth $1.48MM. The team received something of a bounce-back performance, with Martin helping an undermanned team with 723 rushing yards. Shortly after drafting Josh Jacobs in the 2019 first round, the Raiders re-signed Martin but moved on with a release (via injury settlement) before the regular season.

Consecutive 1,200-yard rushing seasons at Boise State launched Martin onto the first-round radar. He later rambled for two 200-plus-yard games as a pro — including a 251-yard outing against the Raiders as a rookie. That remains a Bucs single-game record and sits and ranks 12th in a game throughout NFL history. Although the 2012 draft did not feature fully guaranteed contracts for all rookies, Martin earned his full sum on that four-year deal. For his career, he collected just more than $22MM.

Buccaneers-Baker Mayfield Extension Won’t Come Until Offseason

October 18th, 2025 at 10:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Baker Mayfield‘s journey in Tampa Bay has been nothing short of incredible.

He has significantly outplayed his first two contracts with the Buccaneers, earning his first Pro Bowl nod after an initial $4MM deal in 2023 and looking like an MVP candidate after a three-year, $100MM extension in 2024. Mayfield’s awards candidacy last year was only held back by a league-leading 16 interceptions; otherwise, he ranked among the NFL’s top three quarterbacks in completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.

This season, he has again looked like one of the league’s best passers, averaging 256.5 passing yards per game with 12 touchdowns and only one interception. He has also taken just 10 sacks despite a number of offensive line injuries, and star skill players Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Emeka Egbuka have all missed time as well.

Mayfield has also led fourth-quarter comebacks in four of the Buccaneers’ five wins this year. Tampa Bay is 5-1, and their quarterback is among the early favorites to win the Most Valuable Player award at the end of the season.

The Buccaneers have made it clear that they envision keeping Mayfield past the end of his current contract, which expires after the 2026 season. The team displayed this clear interest by upping its starter’s guarantees for next season, a rework that provided a $30MM bump in locked-in money. However, extension talks will not take place until the offseason, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, allowing both sides to see how this year plays out.

Mayfield should already be in line for a solid raise based on his performance in 2024, and his value could continue to go up, especially if this season ends with individual recognition and/or team success in the playoffs. He could push well above $50MM per year on his next contract, but his obvious appreciation for the Buccaneers organization could incentivize him to take a team-friendly deal.

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