Bucs WR Jalen McMillan to miss weeks with ‘severe’ neck sprain

Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan likely will miss several weeks recovering from a neck injury and was ruled out for Tampa Bay’s Week 1 game by head coach Todd Bowles on Tuesday.
“He’s got a severely strained neck,” Bowles said. “He’s going to miss some time.”
McMillan made a big impact after Chris Godwin was lost for the season in October, but will open the season on injured reserve. McMillan had seven touchdown receptions in the final five games as a rookie.
The Tampa Bay Times reported McMillan might be sidelined until midseason, pointing to the bye in Week 9 as a potential return date. McMillan, entering his second season, was hurt Saturday in the preseason game at Pittsburgh when he collided with Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. McMillan landed on the field helmet-first before his neck and back followed to the ground.
Godwin has not participated in practice and could be on a similar timeline for playing in his first game of 2025.
He returned to the Bucs in free agency in March but continues to rehab from a dislocated ankle in Week 7 of the 2024 season that required surgery. Godwin could be placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season, which would require him to miss at least the first four games.
“We’re going to need guys to step up with Chris down and then Jalen going down,” Bowles said Tuesday. “A lot of guys have stepped up and we’ve got to see them step up even more. The depth was well-needed and we still have some decisions to make after this game against Buffalo.”
First-round pick Emega Egbuka has turned in a stellar training camp and preseason, including a touchdown reception against the Steelers. He’s likely to start alongside veteran Mike Evans.