The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received troubling news about receiver Jalen McMillan on Saturday night, but it also opened an opportunity for a highly touted rookie to step into a larger role.
McMillan went up for a pass and landed awkwardly on his head and neck after a big hit from Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. He left the game and was later seen wearing a neck brace while escorted to the locker room. Initial reports indicated further tests were needed, but the early words from the team offered cautious optimism. McMillan himself posted on Instagram that he’s “straight” and asked fans not to worry.
On Wednesday, Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles confirmed the official diagnosis: McMillan has a severely sprained neck and will miss time, meaning he will not be ready for the season opener. That rules him out for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. To complicate matters, veteran receiver Chris Godwin remains on the physically unable to perform list.
The silver lining for Tampa Bay is that Emeka Egbuka, the team’s rookie first-round pick, will now have a clear avenue to a prominent role alongside Mike Evans. Egbuka has drawn strong praise throughout training camp and the preseason for his polished route running, reliable hands, and work ethic. Observers noted that his performance in Saturday’s exhibition against the Steelers helped solidify the confidence around his potential, including his first NFL touchdown.
McMillan had been expected to play a bigger part in the offense this season after posting 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie. With his season debut delayed, Egbuka’s opportunity to contribute grows, while Evans remains the steady veteran target and Godwin’s absence will need to be filled by a combination of veterans and newcomers.
Looking ahead, Tampa Bay will lean on Egbuka to emerge as a reliable option early in the year, with Evans serving as the trusted top target. The timeline for McMillan’s return will be watched closely, and the offense will likely adapt around the young playmaker stepping into more reps alongside a veteran core.
Summary: A neck injury to Jalen McMillan sidelines him for the start of the season, but Emeka Egbuka now has a clear chance to prove himself as a key playmaker for the Buccaneers alongside Mike Evans, with Godwin on the PUP list and McMillan’s quick return still uncertain.
Additional notes and thoughts:
– This could accelerate Egbuka’s development by giving him immediate, meaningful targets and game experience.
– If Egbuka seizes the opportunity, the Bucs’ depth at receiver could become a real strength earlier than expected, even before Godwin returns.
– Keep an eye on workload splits in the opening weeks to gauge how the coaching staff plans to preserve McMillan’s health long term while maximizing Egbuka’s impact.
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