The start of the 2025 season is complicated for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the injury was confirmed to Jalen McMillan , the second-year receiver who suffered a hard hit in the first quarter of the preseason game against the Steelers. According to coach Todd Bowles, McMillan suffered a severe neck sprain and will not be available for the start of the regular season, possibly missing until Week 9, coinciding with the team’s bye.
McMillan’s injury comes at a critical time, as Chris Godwin is still recovering from a dislocated ankle suffered last season. With both out, the Buccaneers will have to rely on their depth at wide receiver to keep the passing game competitive.
Tampa Bay’s Receiving Depth
Fortunately, the Bucs have several receivers with regular-season experience who can take on a larger role: Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard, Rakim Jarrett, Kameron Johnson, and Ryan Miller. Additionally, rookie Tez Johnson, a seventh-round pick, has performed well in practice and the preseason after overcoming an injury.
Sterling Shepard, Baker Mayfield’s teammate at Oklahoma, has shown chemistry with the QB and played 14 snaps against Pittsburgh, converting them into three receptions for 47 yards. Shepard is profiled as the number three receiver, although the team will likely play him in practice to manage his contract guarantee.
Impact On The Offense
With McMillan and Godwin out, Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka are solidified as the starting duo, while the third-through-fifth-option roles remain open. Johnson, Miller, Palmer, and Greene will battle for the remaining active spots, while Jarrett and Kameron Johnson look to recover and contribute in the upcoming preseason games.
Bowles emphasized the need for other players to step up: “With Chris out and now Jalen injured, a lot of players have stepped up, and we need to see them do so even more. The depth was needed, and we still have decisions to make after the Buffalo game.”
With less than three weeks until the start of the regular season, Jalen McMillan’s injury is testing not only the individual talent but also the adaptability of the Buccaneers’ receiving unit.
🏴☠️ Subscribe and join the crew!
If you don’t want to miss any news about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason:
📺 Subscribe to our Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/canonesyfootball
🤝 Join the Cañones y Football community: https://forms.gle/PVkgo2RPRvV6Srik9
💬 Enter our Discord: https://gobucs.es/la-taberna-del-grog-de-gobucs/
Make sure you follow Alf on social media by clicking here!
Then check out his website for the best Buccaneers content for our Spanish speaking fans by clicking the logo below, or clicking here!
This article was translated from it’s original form in Spanish to English via META AI.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
For more on this, the NFL and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
