Jalen McMillan Fantasy Stats

When asked about wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck), Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said his timetable for a return hasn't changed with the news that he's dealing with broken bones in his neck, in addition to a severe sprain that he suffered in the preseason. When asked if a December timetable is still in play, Bowles said, "See how it heals." The 23-year-old has shown some improvement, and the Bucs still have hope that he can return at some point this season, but for fantasy purposes, it's unlikely that McMillan is going to have any kind of impact. Tampa could sure use the help at receiver, though, with Mike Evans (collarbone) potentially missing the rest of the year, and Chris Godwin (leg) still not practicing. The injuries at wideout for the Bucs have opened the door for rookie Tez Johnson to become a weekly flex play in fantasy behind rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles says wide receiver Jalen McMillan's neck injury includes broken bones, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Smith also notes that McMillan's return timeline remains unclear. The 23-year-old suffered a scary-looking neck injury in the preseason and has spent the entire regular season on Injured Reserve. Tampa Bay has not ruled McMillan out for the 2025 season, but it also does not appear as though he is particularly close to making his return. The Buccaneers are also currently without wide receivers Mike Evans (collarbone) and Chris Godwin (leg), although Godwin has a chance to return in Week 10 following Tampa Bay's Week 9 bye. Rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka is the team's clear WR1. Given the team's other injuries, veteran Sterling Shepard and rookie Tez Johnson could both have an extended runway of regular playing time in Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) to a broken clavicle in their Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 7, and the future Hall of Famer is expected to miss most of the rest of the season. It's a big blow to a Buccaneers offense that has also missed receiver Chris Godwin (leg) for the last two games. Fellow wideout Jalen McMillan suffered a serious neck injury in the preseason and was put on Injured Reserve in August, and while the Bucs are hoping he can return at some point in 2025, there remains no timetable for his return to action. The 23-year-old reportedly was still in a neck brace just under two weeks ago, but the team remains hopeful that he'll be able to play this year. For now, with no Evans and with Godwin nursing a fibula injury, the Bucs will head into Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints with rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, and Tez Johnson as their top three receivers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles replied, "I hope so," when asked whether wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) will play in 2025, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Bowles did note that McMillan is "getting better" but is "still in the neck brace." The second-year wide receiver suffered a neck injury during the preseason and is currently on Injured Reserve. McMillan recorded 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns on 58 targets in 13 games last season, but it does not appear he is close to making his 2025 debut. The Buccaneers' wide receiver corps is currently quite depleted, with wideouts Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) both set to miss the team's Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Evans and Godwin are both expected to return before McMillan, but Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka could have an extended run as the team's WR1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck), still on injured reserve from a preseason injury, is still slated for a 2025 return, but likely not until after Tampa's Week 9 bye. The second-year receiver sustained the injury on a frightening play trying to catch a pass, but avoided worst-case scenarios and has a realistic change to come back this season. He finished as the 55th-ranked PPR receiver last year on the strength of eight touchdown catches. McMillan's return, however, is still on the shelf for at least another month as Tampa deals with injuries at several other key positions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) remains on the same recovery timeline. Head coach Todd Bowles said, "Timetable has not changed. We see him every day. He's doing fine, but we're just walking in the hallway." McMillan suffered a scary neck sprain in the preseason when a high pass from Teddy Bridgewater forced him to land awkwardly on his head. While there's still a chance he returns later in the year, his fantasy outlook for 2025 remains limited. With Chris Godwin healthy, rookie Emeka Egbuka emerging, and Mike Evans continuing his push to extend his 1,000-yard streak, McMillan projects as more of a WR4/role player when he's back on the field.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) is currently on the Injured Reserve and eligible to return on Oct. 5, when the Buccaneers will travel to take on the Seattle Seahawks. McMillan left Tampa Bay's exhibition in Pittsburgh on August 16 with what eventually was termed a strained neck. This injury has opened the door for rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to be involved early on in the season, and he has not disappointed, hauling in three touchdowns in his first two career NFL games. McMillan had a nice rookie campaign in 2024, hauling in 37 of his 58 targets for 461 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Before the draft, McMillan was lined up to be in the WR2 spot on the Bucs offense with Chris Godwin (foot) recovering from his injury. At this time, McMillan remains a dynasty stash and can be picked up off the waivers in leagues with deeper benches once he returns.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) on Injured Reserve with a return designation on Tuesday. The move means that McMillan will be eligible to come back in Week 5, but he may have to miss more time than that as he recovers from a sprained neck. The 23-year-old suffered the injury in a preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 16. McMillan, a third-round pick from Washington in 2024, impressed with 37 catches, 461 yards, and eight touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie. He hauled in seven of those scores in the Buccaneers' final five games of the season, but he won't be able to build on that performance until at least October. The Bucs will also open the year without Chris Godwin (ankle), which will give first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka a prime opportunity to step up as the team's No. 2 receiver after Mike Evans.

Updating previous reports, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) could be out through the team's Week 9 bye, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. McMillan will be placed on Injured Reserve with a "severely sprained neck" that he suffered in the second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers over the weekend. The Bucs still feel fortunate that his injury wsn't worse. It's tough news for McMillan and more bad news for the team's receiver depth with Chris Godwin (ankle) potentially starting the year on the PUP list and missing the first four games of the season. With the 23-year-old McMillan now potentially missing over half of the 2025 campaign, rookie first-round receiver Emeka Egbuka's fantasy value will skyrocket. Egbuka should be Tampa's WR2 behind Mike Evans if Godwin isn't ready.

Updating a previou report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) will not be ready for the season opener, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. Stroud reported that McMillan suffered a neck sprain. McMillan sustained their injury during their preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend. While reports earlier on Tuesday suggested that McMillan was only to be held out of practice, it appears the second-year wideout has suffered a more serious injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could miss multiple games if he is unable to progress. Chris Godwin (ankle) is also trending toward missing the start of the season, which would leave veteran Mike Evans and rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka as the top options in the passing attack. After a slow start in his rookie season, McMillan emerged as a breakout as he caught at least one touchdown pass in each of his final five games. When he does return, he will likely slot in as the No. 4 option behind Egbuka, which will limit his upside.