Buccaneers receive the exact news they don’t want to hear when it comes to the injury Jalen McMillan suffered against Vikings
Jalen McMillan has all the potential in the world, but he’s suffered another tough injury that will keep him out for a large chunk of the regular season. This is now the third-straight year where he’s missed substantial time.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without Baker Mayfield for a few weeks, but the offense will be without wide receiver Jalen McMillan for even longer.
Per ESPN’s Jenna Laine, McMillan suffered a PCL strain against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 and the injury will keep him out of action for the next six-to-eight weeks. It’s a re-aggravation of the same knee he hurt in training camp. Jalen McMillan and his camp are also seeking a second opinion, but it’s clear he’s going to miss valuable time no matter what the final word may be.
“It’s a sad thing, man. You never want to see anyone go down, especially guys you’re close with,” Chris Godwin Jr. told reporters Monday. “I feel for both of those guys as someone who has been on the other side of that.”
Jalen McMillan’s unfortunate injury history is really hurting his development
Obviously, the most important aspect of all this is McMillan’s overall health. Getting that back on track is the No. 1 goal as he works back toward a return.
But this is now the third-straight season where he’s going to miss valuable time. A hamstring issue caused him to miss four games in 2024, last year’s neck injury forced him out of 13 games, and now this year’s PCL sprain will limit his availability to where he could miss the greater half of the season.
The injury also hurts a Buccaneers offense that is desperately trying to find an identity through three weeks. Zac Robinson and Co. were already struggling before both Mayfield and McMillan went down and that will likely be the case as the unit adjusts without two of its most important players.
Who steps up in place of Jalen McMillan?
Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are the two names that immediately come to mind, but look for Ted Hurst III and Tez Johnson to factor even more into the passing attack. Hurst III has shown plenty of potential over the last three weeks and Johnson already has one big play under his belt (his 49-yard catch against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2), so it’s not like the Bucs are completely bare behind Godwin Jr. and Egbuka.
Robinson could also utilize tight end Cade Otton more in the passing game, as well as Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. There are plenty of viable options – Robinson is just going to have to get creative.
It also makes sense to play Godwin Jr. more out of the slot and put Hurst III at the X position, as a lot of Godwin Jr.’s best plays and production have come from the inside. That’s what I’d put my money on before anything else.
It’s another tough blow for both the Buccaneers and their young wideout. Here’s to hoping he can make a full, quick recovery and get back on the field as soon as possible.
