Jalen McMillan “Will Miss Some Time”
August 19th, 2025
Receiver Jalen McMillan walks to the Bucs locker room after Saturday’s preseason win over the Steelers wearing a neck brace.
Don’t bank on Jalen McMillan to be in uniform when the Bucs travel to Atlanta for the season opener in 19 short days.
Tuesday, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said McMillan has a “severely” strained neck. Bowles then added when asked if McMillan’s injury will last into the regular season, Bowles replied, “Yeah, he’s going to miss some time.”
Bowles didn’t offer any timetable for McMillan to get back on the field, though he did attend practice today wearing a neck brace.
McMillan himself said after the game that he had a “sprained neck,” as Joe reported shortly after taking the photo above.
August 19th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Damn…he was gonna slot 2 or 3 for us with Godwin out.
This sucks. Terrible news for sure. EE is a rook so I was counting on JMac to really pop this year. Damn damn damn
August 19th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Although Teddy had a good game throwing fades to the back corner of the endzone, his other passes looked pedestrian. No zing. 100% Bridgewater’s fault on the JMac debacle. Ball was super late, high and soft. JMac hung like Jordan to go get it and paid the price. : (
August 19th, 2025 at 11:10 am
The Bridgewater Blooper combined with a Bowles Blunder.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:14 am
I figured that,
I wasn’t listening to what Bowles were saying
I was going with medical facts
August 19th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Damn the rookie and Evans going to have to do double duty with Godwin and McMillan out. Hopefully someone else steps up.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Thanks Bridgewater!!!
Great pick up
August 19th, 2025 at 11:15 am
You just know that the next morning he probably was in severe pain and limited to no mobility in it. Poor guy. Neck and back injuries are for sure no fun at all as many others can attest to.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Hate to say but that was teddy Bridgewater fault like a mf he should know not to throw that high and slow to the middle of the field throw a dart if it’s in the middle throw lobs to the outside so he can either sky out of bounds or try to drag his feet just a reminder this didn’t happen when trask or the balzek guy was in …… tell teddy to convert to wr and get the same production as j-Mac or he owes us some money and some how another 3rd round pick
August 19th, 2025 at 11:21 am
Was a bad ball no doubt. I remember Brady saying if he knew the catch would be tough he would just dirt the ball to protect the WR
August 19th, 2025 at 11:23 am
get well soon jmac, i was hard on that kid last year bc i believed that some of Bakers interceptions were his fault, but i feel bad for the kid he came on strong and got super wide open and caught some great passes, i hope he recovers 100% it looked so scary on tv at least he’s not out for the year so far
August 19th, 2025 at 11:24 am
cade needs to learn how to catch again
August 19th, 2025 at 11:24 am
@hc Grover you mean teddy b right because I still don’t see what Todd has to do with anything maybe you got your TB’s wrong this was all on the players don’t misguided your blame
August 19th, 2025 at 11:24 am
Teddy was 6-11 for 85 yards. That’s 50% completion. He did throw two nice passes on the TDs, but maybe Kyle does too playing with Bucky, and Emeka. We’ll never know. In Trask’s five years, he’s never been out with the ones in preseason. Maybe that pass to J Mac would’ve been a fastball strike, instead of a Teddy balloon. Again, we’ll never know. What I do know, is Bowles is not a fan of Trask. My guess is he wanted Teddy in the offseason, but was over ruled by Licht. Pure speculation on my part, but the way Trask was done dirty Saturday it sure looks like it. Todd has his guy now, it’s Teddy for better, or worse. Let’s hope Baker doesn’t miss time.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:28 am
I knew it was worse than letting on when they were quiet. No news always = missing a lot of time or out for the year with this team. Guess we’ll see him in November and a potential Godwin return for the playoffs.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:29 am
Licht looks like a genius drafting Egbuka.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:30 am
No Godwin. No Wirfs. No JMac. And that’s just so far. Yeah we’ll be ready for Atlanta. LOL
August 19th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Trask was done dirty? Trask is distracted by the Bucs? 5 years people and he is once again battling for the backup role. He would be battling for a starting role if he showed consistency over his 5 years. Some dudes are just backups. Give it a rest.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Licht is the football prophet lol drafted EE and 2 WRs are already down
August 19th, 2025 at 11:38 am
looks like #2 is now Emeka and #3 is Shepard. Palmer and Miller #4. Think I would also be working Culp in the slot just in case. No way I trust Kameron, Tez or Rakim. Even Greene would be better.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:38 am
Bad news, McMillan is a ball magnet lately. Still, I think we have enough offensive talent to overcome his absence for a game or two. Hopefully, there will be no more injuries to our starters in the final worthless pre season game.
Can’t wait to see the Bucs beat the Falcons in game one !!
Go Bucs 2025 !!
August 19th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Oh no, poor guy. He needs to take care of himself first.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Well ion the bright side we do have a packed receiver room, and this will let the guys further down the chain get some regular season reps which will hopefully translate to production from them in the post season or next year.
JMac will come back mid season with fresh legs to reignite this team.
Go Bucs!
August 19th, 2025 at 11:43 am
Yea, this just means more forced passes to Evans
August 19th, 2025 at 11:43 am
That most likely means 6-8 weeks. It’s 1-3 months for normal people. We could put him on PUP with Godwin. Hopefully he returns before CG but I bet it’s the same week.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:44 am
Tez Johnson, Trey Palmer…. CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE A BUCCANEER
August 19th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Steelers 3rd String DB did J Mac no favors by clipped his legs and sending him toppling. unlike Blankenship that gave Evans a Courtesy a few years back when he was in the same state of vulnerability by letting him land on his back and getting M.E upright. Brady avoided them kind of throws as much as possible.
QB’s get bragged up for being able to make “All the Throws” but then some are not smart enough to know which one’s not to.
Pay a QB a million at the end of his career to end the promising career of a guy at the beginning of his. Bucs really dodged a bullet when McMillan didn’t leave the field like Mike Utley.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:47 am
The occult of Trask are embarrassing themselves once again.
IF TRASK WAS ANY GOOD HE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE STARTER BYE NOW.
JC you people are dumb.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:47 am
This is awful, but I at least like the idea of Mike at X, Egbuka in the slot, and Tez at the Y where he won’t get hung up at the line of scrimmage. Could be very successful for a few games.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:54 am
Anointing Tez #3 is waaaay premature.
August 19th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Tez can’t catch, Palmer is faster and has better hands although probably not by much. lol.
August 19th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Maybe he won’t be gone too long. I remember this one time Don Beebe from the Buffalo Bills literally *BOUNCED* on his head and then ran right back into the huddle. I figured the dude was paralyzed at the least. So maybe if McMillan rests it a few days the soreness will go away.
Who knows?
August 19th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
At least it is not a career threatening injury. Garrett Greeene may be “green”, but he seems to have some legit talent. And Miller has looked good.
August 19th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
When you look last season. Evan’s missing time. Age. Godwin injury. It was a must for licht to prioritize wr in draft. Either 1 rd or 2 nd. Licht has demonstrated he has a beat , pulse of the state of the roster. And what’s require to make a push for the post season. Depth. And quality of that depth. Very impressive
For McMillan. It’s 2 months at least.
August 19th, 2025 at 12:22 pm
1 to 3 months for recovery.
August 19th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Trask was signed to his second contract just a few months back. The “Trask sucks” crowd just can’t seem to grasp their own logic fail. Meanwhile it’s been reported Teddy has a better hang time than the punter. McMillan’s neck agrees.
August 19th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
I’m no dr but I broke my C4 Verdibrae from landing on my head. I opted for no surgery so it would heal stronger. I spent 6 months in that exact neck brace. Hope he heals up and takes his time necks are nothing to play with. Happy he didn’t break anything or fracture
August 19th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Defense going to have to step up massively to start the year with our offense so dinged up. Sucks I felt confident going into week 1 now I’m biting fingernails we can’t get bullied by the falcons for a second year
August 19th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
He will be ok that’s the important thing ,,,, that doesn’t help my Bucs 9.5 wins over bet but certainly helps my EE offensive rookie of the year bet
August 19th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
“Tez can’t catch,”
Film says otherwise.
August 19th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
If they play any starters vs. the Bills, I am going to lose it. Glad we got EE and Mike to start the season. (knocking on wood and sending good vibes to Mike’s hammy)
August 19th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Can somebody please explain how that wasn’t an illegal defenseless receiver penalty. He clearly was in a defenseless position. It’s illegal in basketball to take out a players legs causing then to land on their heads. What am i missing here? Haven’t heard one mention of the hit being illegal. Luckily he will heal. Go Bowles!!
August 19th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Positive is this helps Evans get his yards early. I hope his hammys hold up. Brilliant drafting Ebuka. Go Licht!
August 19th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Maybe M1K3 gets his thousand yards by game 4. That would be NICE.
August 19th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
HERE COMES ANTONIO! HE’S COMING BACK NOW!😁
August 19th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
Yeah, Trask was done dirty. He was passed over Saturday for a journeyman who just signed. He’s been a good soldier, and earned the start. He might not be that good, but dang give him his shot already. It’s not like we don’t know what Teddy is.
August 19th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
The same people blaming Bridgewater’s 20 yard pass that McMillan got hurt on refused to place blame on Brady for his five yard pass that got Godwin’s ACL torn in 2022.
August 19th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Missing 8 games possibly. The EE pick site is looking brilliant right about now
August 19th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
@hodad 100%
August 19th, 2025 at 1:53 pm
I hope he didn’t rupture any disks…
August 19th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Yes Johnson ‘s average separation against man coverage at Oregon was at the 100th percentile. He gets OPEN.
August 19th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Err Tez. Damn spell check.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
I think the NFL should be investigating tackles like this on a defensive receiver that one day is gonna create death. In my opinion I think a receiver that is defenseless like this should be wrapped up and tackled to the ground, not have his legs taken out from him.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Bucswin, they’ll call illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if it’s head and neck area hit but taking out a receiver’s legs is perfectly fine.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
They need to give Rashaad White reps as slot WR. He could be WR #4. Buck/Tuck RB 1/2. Get your playmakers on the field.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
The beauty of depth and next man up
Never play them hurt or banged up early in the season. Nobody should rush to get back to the field unless we lose a few games in a row.
We’ve got enough WR that can fill the void. Rushing players back is how you turn a temporary injury into a seasonal one.
Full recoveries. Patience. If we’re a good team, we should be able to compensate.
Reality is, receivers are a dime a dozen. There’s so much talent available at that position. Learning the playbook and picking up the terminology, as well as establishing rapport with your QB with limited reps that’s the hard part.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
I read somewhere that he’ll be out till week 9
August 19th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
From ChatGPT…
A “severe” neck strain in football usually means the player has overstretched or torn muscles/ligaments in the neck, sometimes involving nerve irritation. Recovery depends on whether it’s a Grade II (partial tear) or Grade III (full tear) strain, and if there’s any related spinal involvement.
Here’s the general range:
• Mild strain (Grade I): a few days to 2 weeks.
• Moderate strain (Grade II): 2–6 weeks.
• Severe strain (Grade III): could be 6–12 weeks or more, sometimes longer if there’s nerve or spinal involvement.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
So to start the season without Godwin and Jalen…..
ME13
Egbuka
Shephard
Tez
Miller
then who? Kam? Palmer? Jarrett? Greene?
August 19th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Only thing that seemed good is they didn’t have to strap his head down, and take him out on a stretcher. He got off the turf on his own, and was turning his head acknowledging the crowd. Fingers crossed. Don’t count out Tez contributing week one, and beyond.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
Evans will start outside, with Trey Palmer. EE plays the slot. Shepherd the 4, and will drop balls all day. When Godwin returns it will change. I knew they didn’t trade Palmer for a reason, he has started both preseason games.
August 19th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Teddy for putting McMillan on the IR, great job you piece of garbage.
August 19th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Maybe they could put Desmond Watson at WR now? They’re worried about him losing weight well he’d definitely start losing weight doing that.
August 19th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
Tony Says:
August 19th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Maybe they could put Desmond Watson at WR now? They’re worried about him losing weight well he’d definitely start losing weight doing that.
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Interesting idea… at 6′ 6″ and 450lbs, he’d be a nightmare for corners if he ever got the ball in his hands. Also I’d love to see some 5′ 8″ 175lb corner come up and try to jam him off the line. Just for the LOL’s I’d like to see this happen. Preseason is worthless as they say, so why not have some fun.
August 19th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
Horrible news for JMAC and the Bucs. He was definitely going to have a breakout year
August 19th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
Todd makes great decisions.
August 19th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
I will be surprised if he isn’t active for Atlanta
August 19th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Hodad Says:
August 19th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
Yeah, Trask was done dirty. He was passed over Saturday for a journeyman who just signed. He’s been a good soldier, and earned the start. He might not be that good, but dang give him his shot already.
——-
Exactly right. And the media doesn’t get a pass on this either. Trask just signed a new contract. That’s two contracts. Drafted in the 2nd round. And hasn’t played with the starting personnel that T-Bridge did after just walking in the door. All that being invested and not a peep from the media on why the man hasn’t been given a clean shot to play with the starters. After “FIVE YEARS”. In the freakin’ pre-season! Not a peep. Is it too much to see him in two consecutive games. With starting unit. It’s not as if Bowles has a track record of success developing young QB’s that would make him beyond reproach.
August 19th, 2025 at 4:24 pm
Aqualung Says:
August 19th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
Todd makes great decisions.
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Wait until you see Bowles line up D. Watson to cover the deep out. 😉
August 19th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Thanks a lot Teddy you just screwed us bigtime and haven’t been here but a few weeks. Bowles should have let Trask get the start with the ones he has less experience and needs all the reps he can get. Hope McMillan comes back soon as possible and Godwin. Just crazy that Teddy has been in the league for so long and gets the start then throws a stupid pass he should have known better especially in preseason and does it anyhow, now look our wr is gonna miss half the season. Hate to see it. Tez isn’t ready to be on a 53 man roster either, should be practice squad guy but the injuries are piling up already. Ryan miller looks better and more ready than Tez or Palmer imo
August 19th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
I do think it’s really odd if JMac tore all these muscles why he didn’t act like he was in any pain.
August 19th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
If Trask was in we would still have JMac!!!!! Trask would have held the ball and eventually got sacked , but we would still have JMac ready to go game one
August 19th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
Tearing muscles is shockingly painful and he acted like he was fine. That’s just so odd.
August 19th, 2025 at 7:42 pm
And he sure came on last year. Was expecting him to pick up where he left off.
August 19th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
Most are saying up to half a seaaon, perhaps after week 9 bye to be cautious. This is a lot about the players ability to heal so much of this is speculation, but it wouldn’t be surprising. All thanks to a dumbass coaching staff playing starting players in games that don’t matter. We needed him healthy, now will only have 50% of the starting wrs on game day. Look at other teams around the league barelt playing their starters aside from 1 game. Just a stupid decision to play him in both games when there are 10 other wrs trying to make the team. This one is on Bowles.
August 19th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Can’t believe anyone that might contribute plays during the preseason. What a waste