The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dealt a major blow this preseason when promising wide receiver Jalen McMillan suffered a severe neck sprain against the Steelers. The rookie standout, who had flashed big-play potential in limited action, is now expected to miss the start of the regular season and could be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four weeks.
Jalen McMillan’s Injury: What Happened
McMillan was injured on a leaping catch when he landed awkwardly on the back of his head and neck. Though he initially walked off under his own power, he was later carted into the locker room in a neck brace. Head coach Todd Bowles called it a “big blow,” noting that McMillan had been “very polished” and was expected to play a key role in Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
How McMillan’s Absence Impacts the Bucs
The injury leaves Tampa Bay’s wide receiver depth chart thinner than expected heading into Week 1:
Mike Evans remains the anchor and will see a larger share of targets.
Chris Godwin is still recovering from injury and may also begin the year on the PUP list.
Emeka Egbuka, the rookie from Ohio State, is expected to step into a starting role opposite Evans.
Trey Palmer now has a clear opportunity to earn more snaps and potentially carve out a WR3 role.
The ripple effect also extends to tight end Cade Otton and the running backs, who may see more involvement in short-yardage passing to help balance the offense.
Who Will Replace McMillan?
The most direct beneficiary of McMillan’s injury is Emeka Egbuka. Drafted to be part of the team’s future, Egbuka now gets an early opportunity to prove he can be a reliable complement to Evans.
Meanwhile, Trey Palmer—who was battling for a roster spot—suddenly has a clear path to meaningful playing time. With Godwin sidelined, Palmer could emerge as the Bucs’ surprise WR3 in September.
Fantasy Football Outlook
For fantasy managers, McMillan’s injury creates both frustration and opportunity:
Downgrade McMillan: He’s undraftable in standard redraft leagues until a clearer timeline emerges. Dynasty managers can stash him but will need patience.
Boost to Evans: Expect Evans’ target share to rise, especially in the red zone.
Rookie Watch: Egbuka: He’s now a late-round sleeper with real upside as a WR2 in this offense.
Deep Sleeper: Palmer: In deeper formats, Palmer is worth monitoring—or stashing—given his potential volume early in the year.
Final Thoughts
Jalen McMillan’s injury is a setback for both the Buccaneers and fantasy managers who hoped he’d break out as a rookie playmaker. Still, Tampa Bay has young talent ready to step up. Emeka Egbuka now finds himself in the spotlight, and Trey Palmer has a golden opportunity to prove he belongs in the rotation.
If the next men up deliver, Tampa Bay’s passing game could survive the early weeks without McMillan and Godwin. But one thing is clear: the Bucs’ WR depth will be tested immediately in 2025.