Jalen McMillan In A Neck Brace; “Sprained Neck” Diagnosis (Video)
August 16th, 2025
Receiver Jalen McMillan walks to the Bucs locker room after Saturday’s preseason win over the Steelers wearing a neck brace.
Disturbing look after the Bucs beat the Steelers 17-14 Saturday night in Pittsburgh as Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan was seen wearing a neck brace.
McMillan has “a sprained neck,” per what he told teammates directly after the game.
McMillan was hurt in the first half when he caught a pass to the right. McMillan had to sky for it and was undercut. He landed on his head and it appeared initially very ugly.
He was down on the turf for a couple of minutes and it felt a lot longer. Amazingly, McMillan held on for the 18-yard catch from Teddy Bridgewater and a first down. Gamer!
Good news is McMillan left the field on his own power unassisted. And as you can tell from the video below, he is walking just fine.
Jalen McMillan in a neck brace. pic.twitter.com/mUjlwn9OHv
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 17, 2025
August 16th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Precautionary pending Xrays??
August 16th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Hospital Ball Bridgewater is to blame for this, anyone saying he had a good night… losing one of your top young WRs because of an awful throw is not a good night.
With that said, hopefully it’s just precautionary.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:52 pm
Let’s dramatize this a little more while I pray for his speedy recovery.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:52 pm
Man this team can’t catch a break when it comes to injuries. They seemingly lose a significant player every time they step on the field. Praying J Mac is ok. He was looking good from what we have seen this preseason. Wonder if people are still complaining now about the Egbuka pick now. If J Mac misses time we are down to just Evans and him the first week of the season as true weapons.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Yep hope he’s ok. But honestly we don’t need anymore injuries so shut her down boys.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Just the fact that he’s walking, after sticking that landing the exact wrong way, is a plus.
Hoping for even better news tomorrow.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
Ouch. I just hope he’s ok and makes a full recovery, no matter how long it takes.
He seemed alert in the video. No one was helping him walk. And, they weren’t walking slowly. Those are good signs.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
He will be alright
August 16th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
These injuries are insane. I don’t follow other teams but dang this team is snakebit ever since the Jensen debacle
August 16th, 2025 at 11:18 pm
Nice to see M1K3 walking with him. HOF player and teammate. Football be damned, praying you are okay JMac, forreal.
August 16th, 2025 at 11:21 pm
If it’s a legit neck sprain that’s a 4-6 week injury isn’t it?
August 16th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
Jalen McMillan is like one of my favorite players and I am always pulling for him and hoping he has a great game, so he has not had an MRI yet so how do you really know he does not have a broken neck? Anyway he looks good, hope he does not have a concussion and hope he gets better really fast.
August 16th, 2025 at 11:46 pm
Got a link to him walking with a neck brace but no link to the injury. I found it online and everything on that play was crap. If you’re gonna protect guys, that needed to be a penalty…. Cheap shot for preseason. Missing Godwin so coach decides to get his possible 3rd receiver hurt…. Great idea! Horrible throw by Bridgewater! Starters keep going down…. Might be time coach to get them off the field so they can at least start opening week
August 16th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
Dear Coach Bowles,
For the 3rd preseason game, please play just the future FedEx, UPS, and Amazon truck drivers. TIA bag handlers as well. Get our 53 guys as healthy as possible over the next 3 weeks.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Fan
August 17th, 2025 at 12:04 am
Starting to look like last year with secondary and receiver injuries.
August 17th, 2025 at 12:35 am
Bruh those things are so uncomfortable, hope he’s OK.
August 17th, 2025 at 1:52 am
I’ve had a sprained neck twice, and also disc herniations… The sprain is about 3-6 weeks recovery… Sleep is dramatically reduced… Pinched nerves caused muscle atrophy issues after herniations… Was very challenging building back strength and muscle imbalances… Jalen is very fortunate he only sprained it… With proper treatment I’d say he’ll be back week 4.
August 17th, 2025 at 2:04 am
Could have been so much worse the way he landed on his head and neck. Incredible that he walked away. Be thankful Bucs fans and stop crying about injuries. Just dodged a huge one and the kid is okay.
Go Bucs
August 17th, 2025 at 3:23 am
Like Emeka wasn’t getting drafted high enough already in fantasy ugh
August 17th, 2025 at 3:37 am
@Rod Munch,
Just shutup bro. You sound like an ambulance chaser. Tell me you’ve never played a sport before. Teddy thew high, that happens in games. Mac went up to get it, that also happens in games. The defender undercuts Mac’s legs, also, happens in games. Are you surprised a violent contact sport results in injuries?
You act like Teddy intentionally wanted to harm his teammate. FOH.
August 17th, 2025 at 3:58 am
“… as you can tell from the video below, he is walking just fine.”
.
.
Good thing he doesn’t have to walk with his neck.
August 17th, 2025 at 4:23 am
My heart broke watching that play. So happy he was up and walking with Mike right by his side. Scary moment in football for sure. Jalen is a strong kid. Hoping all the tests come back okay.
August 17th, 2025 at 8:54 am
He’s definitely walking with a determined look on his face in that clip. I noticed Big Mike near him. He doesn’t have a broken neck. JMac will be back, sooner than later.
August 17th, 2025 at 9:55 am
We have the lowest IQ fans in the league. Blaming the QB for ball placement on a 20 yard completion is almost as idiotic as Blaming the training staff for impact injuries. We have a bunch of clueless casual fans. 1
August 17th, 2025 at 9:56 am
Ok Bridgewater made several nice deep lob throws, but the rest of the game he was off target or late. There is a reason he was on so many different teams. Soft throws don’t cut It especially against first team defenders. Trask does throw with more heat. Truth is TB does not have an outstanding #2 qb. If Baker goes down so goes the Bucs. Also the rookie in the 4th qtr sucked. Bucs have a big problem if Baker goes down. Probably the biggest weakness. Lots of new potential in other areas. But coach better tell Baker to take fewer risks!!!!
August 17th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Not holding the quarterback accountable for ball placement is ignorant. If you can’t accurately throw a ball 20 yards downfield, you shouldn’t be an NFL quarterback. You’re right — you are a very casual fan, and it might be best to stay quiet to avoid sounding uninformed.
Me or You not making that throw ok completely understand. A professional NFL QB should be able to do that ALL DAY LONG!! Thats literally his job….
August 17th, 2025 at 10:17 am
He will have a MRI of his spine today, I would expect. Injuries to the neck can involve the inner vertebral discs, the posterior longitudinal ligament, fractured vertebrae, and any number of muscle strains or other ligament sprains.
Each vertebrae has a disc above and below it. They act like shock absorbers. But when put under enough pressure, they can tear or herniate.
The most likely level of it of it is herniated disc is C4-7. Even if a disc is herniated, it may be asymptomatic. The pain could be from something else. But if it is the disc causing it in, the pain could be local (the discs have microscopic nerves that hurt when torn). It could be chemical radiculitis (the interior of the disc oozes out and it has a different pH level, causing irritation) or it could cause nerve root comp compression. (That means the disc is pressing on a nerve router on the spinal cord when it’s not supposed to).
Even if it is a herniated disc, as long as it’s not a surgical condition, with the availability of great pain management, orthopedics, and physical therapy, he should be good to go in a few weeks. Or less. They can give 24/7 care.