Todd Bowles Down In The Dumps About Jalen McMillan Injury
August 20th, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles reacts.
Yesterday morning, Jenna Laine of ESPN reported Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan would in fact be placed on injured reserve.
That would mean he must sit out a minimum of four games.
Today, Bowles was asked again about McMillan, who suffered a “severely” strained neck when he was undercut by Steelers camp meat corner Daryl Porter in the Bucs’ second worthless preseason game on Saturday night. Bowles was downright bummed out.
Bowles thought McMillan had a tremendous offseason and training camp and thought he was just about to take off as a top-shelf receiver.
“That’s tough from a coaching and a playing standpoint,” Bowles said. “He was doing so well coming back this summer. He was very polished, gets his routes, and he competes on a daily basis.
“[He is] real close with everybody on the team, so that was a big blow for us.”
Bowles was asked if a player were to be injured, is it better in preseason than later in the year.
“I don’t think there’s a good time for it to happen,” Bowles said, “but it’s a shame because his growth and his potential was off the wall. [I’m] glad it’s not life-threatening. Glad he can come back later on.”
Given how the Bucs are so secretive about Chris Godwin’s return, Joe is starting to suspect Godwin will be placed on the PUP list, meaning he also will miss four games minimum.
Let’s say Godwin is on the PUP list and can return quickly. If both Godwin and McMillan can get back on the field beginning Week 5 at Seattle, that would be a helluva boost for the offense.
August 20th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Thanks again Teddy, you’ve already made a huge impact on the team.
August 20th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
It would/will be a hell of a boost to the offense when/if Godwin comes back. Might not be this year? The silence about his status is deafening
August 20th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
he should be put on the PUP list…thats a serious injury….let him heal 110% before he gets back out there
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 20th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
He should be in the dumps
McMillan shouldn’t be playing in a preseason game against backups
At the time of McMillan injury, we had 8 guys fighting for two roster spots. Why was a starter even taking snaps from these guys?
Trey Palmer
Ryan Miller
Garrett Greene
Jalen Smith
Kam Johnson
Tez Johnson
Rakim Jarrett
Jacob Harris
August 20th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Look, i get they need real time reps….i dont want to fault Todd too much but we all know he was a starter, our #3. Well, we got Miller now so I guess its Millertime!
August 20th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Why keep asking about McMillan? I can see why he’s bummed out yall asking these depressing questions its like yall like to keeps cuts open. McMillan will be back I just think yall should be asking about players thats able to play now
August 20th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Let him heal. Him and Godwin probably won’t be back til halfway through the season if that. Let them heal and next man up.
August 20th, 2025 at 4:03 pm
Don’t look now! Failcons just lost Penix’s blindside protector as well as his backup in a matter of a few hours. Failcons now down to their 3rd string RT for opening day.
Playing fields have been leveled a bit.
August 20th, 2025 at 4:08 pm
Sorry but I can’t feel anything but happy that Jalen is only out for half the season. when I watched the replay I am just stoked that he is not a cripple.
we competed in games last year without Godwin and Mike. With a decent defense we would have won a few as well and this year with the IR spot we might have another receiver that will step up
August 20th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
Some of us are old enough to remember that 1978 Patriots-Raiders preseason game in which Darryl Stingley & Jack Tatum collided, and Stingley was left parallyzed for life. It wasn’t a malicious hit, but the outcome for Daryl was incredibly tragic. Every time I see plays like that in which Jalen McMillan was involved, my mind still replays visions of that 1978 play. It’s an ever-present threat that every football player faces every game … preseason, regular season and in the playoffs.
A severely strained neck is obviously incredibly painful, but Jalen will be back playing the game that he obviously loves. And for that Jalen and all of us have got a lot to be thankful for.
August 20th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Hey Rod, a player has to protect himself, especially in a worthless preseason game so lay off Bridgwater, its getting old like the crap between your teeth.
August 20th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Two Hall of Fame WR careers were cut short by neck injuries
Michael Irvin and Sterling Sharpe
August 20th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
There is nothing worse that can happen to a team than to lose a Key Player is a worthless Preseason game. This stinks for the Bucs! But they will overcome. Go Bucs!!
August 20th, 2025 at 4:21 pm
I see no one complaining about the Emeka pick anymore…
August 20th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
D rules, that was awful what happened to Stingly. Back in those days players really hated each other, and often tried to take guys out. Rivalries were fermented, because without free agency teams stayed together, the same for whole careers. I’m glad that’s changed, and player safety is a priority. Still a long way to go. I hope they include under cutting an airborne receiver from behind in the defenseless category like what happened to JMac. It’s just as dangerous if not more than helmet to helmet.
August 20th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
“Down in the Dumps” is exactly how I feel when I see Todd Bowles defense.
August 20th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
You can’t blame Teddy Bridgewater. Like no other QB in history has thrown a tad high. If anything, blame the idiot who undercut him. Should they wrap players in bubble wrap?
August 20th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
Both Chris’ and Jalen’s injuries show the reality that is football. Fans don’t enjoy this aspect of the game. The blame game is a waste of energy.
Next man up includes our rookie Egbuka. We’ve got our share of tough games coming up. Bring on the Falcons!
August 20th, 2025 at 5:05 pm
Some publications are reporting that JM won’t come back until after the week 9 bye.
If I was offered a deal where both he and Godwin would be available come week 5 I’d sign immediately.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
I’m sure he had enough reps in the joint scrimmages already. No other level of football feels the desperate need for full-length, ‘real style’ fans in the stands preseason GAMES. High School teams have just recently started playing only ONE preseason “scrimmage” on their schedules, and that’s not even in every state, either. Just a little ‘tune-up’ is ALL. Those games aren’t even close to being ‘real-life’ like the NFL. EVEN they usually SIT most of their starters and top upperclassmen… Because, it’s NOT worth-it. JMac had zero business being out there, on that field, that night. Period. He needed it about as much as he needed a hole in his head. It was stupid, risky decision, and they all got burnt by it. Exact same with RWhite. Just Pointless.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
This is our deepest position on the team. Some young guys will have to step up.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
A hit like that should be illegal. A player up in the air like that and hit low the only result will be a landing like that resulting in possible severe injury.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Sterling Sheperd number three now? That isn’t so bad but I wish Palmer and/or Jarrett would come on. Miller is somewhat productive but the other guys are all longshots, seems like.
With Wirfs also out, maybe a lot of two tight end sets. Culp and Durham on the spot! Of course Otton has been hurt, too!
August 20th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Hodad … ‘I hope they include under cutting an airborne receiver from behind in the defenseless category like what happened to JMac. It’s just as dangerous if not more than helmet to helmet.’
I agree 100% and hope that they do modify the rules accordingly.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
he’ll be back early…. I think mid October- get better JMac!!!
August 20th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Im down too. Everyone talking about Mike and Mec. Jmac was gonna kill it this season.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
Tough choice here, but I would go with bringing Jalen back later in the season.
Neck injuries are nothing to sneeze at.
I want him back on the field as soon as possible and I want us to win just as much as everyone else.
But this isn’t an arm or a leg.
One wrong move; one nasty hit before that neck is fully healed and there’s a real risk he ends up in a wheelchair.
I’d be fine with waiting until after the bye week to bring him back.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Rod Munch Says:
August 20th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Thanks again Teddy, you’ve already made a huge impact on the team
I’d say you couldn’t sound any more ignorant than you do but you will surely post again and prove me wrong.
August 20th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Ouch !!
August 20th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
I honestly believe Ebuka will get over a 1000 yds receiving this year. That would give you 2 1000 yd receivers and an additional rb receiver in White with 400 plus, Otton 500-600 yds, Bucky with 400, plus 1800-2000 rushing yds that’s enough production to put up 28 pts.
August 20th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
This couch should be in the dump
August 20th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
I DON’T THINK CHRIS GODWIN PLAYS IN GAME 5
If Game 1 is 18 days away, Game 5 is 39 days away (18+7+7+7).
It’s been 303 Days since CG got injured! It takes time to get into NFL game shape. If he’s not even running, I don’t think CG will be ready by Game 5.
August 20th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Bowles Blunder to start the season.
August 20th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
JMAC is a huge loss…on the field and in the lockerroom.
He was my #2 with Godwin out…yes, ahead of EE
Dude can ball and had a great end to last year.
Todd is not a great coach. His record is what he is…average at best.
Get well JMAC
August 20th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
None of the 1st string should be on the preseason field
August 20th, 2025 at 8:01 pm
Jalen McMillan played in BOTH preseason games
I really don’t know what Bowles were thinking
August 20th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Guys everyone is disappointed about the injury, but your number FOUR WR plays in the preseason. Especially when he’s a SECOND YEAR player. He’s learning and developing and needs the reps. Stop with this bull crap that he should t have been out there. Yes, he should’ve. Injuries happen. Thank goodness Jason drafted Emeka or the early season would be in jeopardy.
August 20th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
McMillan was a starter
August 20th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
I don’t think ANY of the starters should be playing preseason games especially since we had controlled scrimmages against both teams in which the starters got their work in. Now it’s cost this team big time.
Let’s do the math. Wirfs out. Godwin out. JMac out. All indefinitely. And who knows who else will be out following this last preseason game. If you think these losses won’t affect our won/loss record you’re dreaming.
August 20th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
just watched all the NFL films vids from each season. last year’s featured JMac and Baker discussed his primary exceptional skill – skying for high passes. i hope he keeps skying for them when he comes back this was fluky.
August 20th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
Get well McMillan and Godwin have no fear. Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer and he’s seems like he’s playing in an all pro level right now I think our team has enough fire power with Egbuka and Bucky
August 20th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
As they say, next man up. Nothing we can do about it now. The truth is this team is flush with talent at WR, not to mention other skill positions. Shep and Tez and Miller and whoever else we decide to run with need to step up. It’s that simple.
August 20th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Time to move R White to WR half the time. could really boost his value, tell him.
August 20th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Otton gonna go nuts
August 20th, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Do they play pre-season games in highschool? How about college?
There’s no reason for them other than to pad owners pockets a little more. Coaches know a week into padded practices who can ball and who can’t. It’s just an opportunity for a nutcase on the bottom of someone’s roster to tee off on a guy that will actually make a team.
These are professional players at the very top of their field. They don’t need one tune-up game, let alone three or four. If the players are smart in the next CBA negotiation, they would agree to another regular season game with another bye week in exchange for doing away with the preseason.
August 20th, 2025 at 9:12 pm
In high school 50 plus years ago we always had scrimmage’s (2 of them) the 2 Fridays before the regular season started. We lost our best OT for the season my senior year during one of those scrimmage’s. It’s football.
August 20th, 2025 at 9:44 pm
For those interested in stats rather than blame, far more injuries happen during practice than in games!
August 20th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Mike Tomlin sure as hell wasn’t playing his starters
That’s common sense
August 20th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
Todd often seems to miss the fact that there are things that are indeed under his control. Personnel. Coverage schemes. Teaching how to tackle, measuring improvement on metrics. Playcalling. Gameplanning. And personnel again, for emphasis.
August 20th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Snap counts for Pittsburgh guys look like more for their starters than Bucs.
Peyton Wilson 19 snaps
Roman Wilson 23 snaps
Benton 14 snaps
Harmon 23
Conner Heyward 19 snaps
Kaleb Johnson 33 snaps
Frazier 10 snaps
Thornhill 18 snaps
Fautanu 19 snaps
got tired of putting names.
Just don’t understand why guys make blatantly false statements like Lakeland Buc without verifying things.
August 20th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
For a wideout Jalen has a giant neck–check out the picture that Joe has. Must of helped protect.
August 20th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
I hope Godwin comes back soon and is healthy. Just a great guy and amazing player. However, the mystery surrounding Godwin is giving me bad vibes. I hope Godwin isn’t like Ryan Jensen and we don’t see him all season then only for a playoff game that he isn’t 100%.
August 20th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
You actually call those guys starters?
August 20th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
T
Roman Wilson has ZERO career receptions
He’s a Preseason starter, regular season scrub