Jalen McMillan
Wide Receiver #15
Jalen McMillan News
Jalen McMillan Officially Out to Begin 2026 Season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee), who was listed as doubtful on Friday, is officially out for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals, per Scott Smith of the team's official website. McMillan was limited in all three of the team's practices this week, but he could not gain clearance from a knee injury that has been bothering him since early August. With McMillan sitting out this weekend, rookie Ted Hurst III and Tez Johnson will be battling for WR3 duties behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. in Tampa's new-look offense without future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. The 24-year-old McMillan had 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie in 2024, but he played in only four games last year due to a serious neck injury that he suffered in the preseason. His absence to begin 2026 is bad news, as Hurst drew rave reviews as an up-and-coming pass-catcher for the Bucs. If Hurst continues to shine in the season opener, McMillan might not have a very big role on offense whenever he can return from his knee injury.
Sep 13, 2026 8:05 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Considered Doubtful for Season Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is listed as doubtful for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. In addition to McMillan, third-string running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) is doubtful to play. The 24-year-old McMillan had been a limited practice participant this week, but the Bucs apparently did not see enough progress to clear him for the regular-season opener this weekend. He missed extensive time in training camp and all of the preseason, potentially opening the door for impressive rookie wideout Ted Hurst III to take over the WR3 role from McMillan early on this year. With McMillan unlikely to play against Cincy, Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. will have higher fantasy ceilings, and Hurst will get his chance to make his mark early. McMillan, a third-rounder in 2024, found the end zone eight times as a rookie, but he played in only four games a year ago due to a serious neck injury he suffered in the preseason. Staying healthy has been an issue. He is rostered in only 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Sep 11, 2026 9:07 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Listed as Starting Receiver for the Bucs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is listed as a starting wideout for the team on their unofficial depth chart entering their Week 1 contest this Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. McMillan missed the entire preseason due to a knee injury, but he was back on the practice field on Monday and is trending in the right direction to play in the season opener this weekend in a favorable matchup against Cincy. At least to begin the 2026 campaign, McMillan will be in three-wide sets alongside Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka (toe), with Ted Hurst III checking in as the WR4. While McMillan rested during the summer, Hurst was turning heads and impressing the coaching staff, so McMillan will need to stay healthy and produce to hold off the impressive young pass-catcher. McMillan played in only four games in 2025 due to a serious neck injury he suffered in the preseason, but he caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie in 2024 after being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. The 24-year-old is only rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues and is tough to recommend as a Week 1 starter in deeper leagues after he missed most of camp and the preseason.
Sep 8, 2026 9:07 AM EST
Jalen McMillan's Experience an Advantage in Depth-Chart Competition
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is competing for the No. 3 role on the depth chart, and his experience in the Bucs' offense gives him an early advantage over his teammates. Chris Godwin Sr. and Emeka Egbuka (toe) project as Tampa Bay's top two wideouts, leaving McMillan and Ted Hurst III vying for the next spot in the pecking order. The good news for McMillan is that Hurst is a rookie, which means his ascension into a meaningful role might be delayed as he adapts to NFL speed. On the other hand, McMillan has been in the NFL since 2024 and has 17 games' worth of experience (plus three offseasons) under his belt. His familiarity with the system and his connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield go a long way, especially considering that McMillan averaged 10.4 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues as a rookie. Managers should expect McMillan to open the year as the Bucs' No. 3 wide receiver, which also puts him on the fantasy radar in deeper leagues. The 24-year-old is a matchup-dependent WR3/flex as it is, and he would jump into the WR3 tier on a consistent basis if Godwin or Egbuk were to miss time. As a result, McMillan should be added off the waiver wire in all 12+ team leagues.
Sep 7, 2026 8:57 PM EST
Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan Could Play in Week 1
Buccaneers wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) are both still dealing with injuries that they picked up this preseason, but there is optimism from the team that both will be ready to play in Week 1, according to NFL Network's Sara Walsh. McMillan is back to running routes after missing a couple of weeks with a knee injury, while Egbuka is recovering from a sprained toe that he suffered in a joint practice with the Jets a few weeks ago. Egbuka had a breakout rookie season, and both he and McMillan bring lots of fantasy upside this year, following the departure of target-magnet Mike Evans. With plenty of work up for grabs in Baker Mayfield's offense, Egbuka has WR1 upside if he's healthy, while McMillan could be a strong late-round sleeper if he secures regular playing time.
Sep 1, 2026 5:36 AM EST
Buccaneers Expect Jalen McMillan to be Ready for Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Saturday that he expects wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. The team is hoping that fellow wideout Emeka Egbuka (toe) will also be ready, and they do not plan on carrying an extra receiver on the 53-man roster to offset their short-term injuries at the position. The 24-year-old McMillan sustained a knee injury earlier this month and was held out of all three preseason games. It sounds like his injury is not very serious, but McMillan could be facing snap-count limitations in the regular-season opener against Cincy. If Egbuka is out or limited as well, it could mean a lot of work for veteran Chris Godwin Jr. and tight end Cade Otton. McMillan is in line for a bigger role in a new offense in 2026 with Mike Evans gone, but the former third-rounder from Washington must stay healthy to capitalize. He played in only four games in 2025 due to a serious neck injury he suffered in the preseason. A 37-461-8 line in his rookie campaign shows the kind of upside McMillan has. He is a late-round dart throw for fantasy managers that will gain a boost if Egbuka misses the start of the season.
Aug 29, 2026 8:08 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Not Expected to Play in Preseason Finale
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) did not travel with the team to Jacksonville for joint practices this week and is not expected to play in the preseason finale against the Jaguars on Friday, according to Pewter Report. McMillan has been practicing in a limited fashion in training camp, but the 24-year-old will end up missing the entire preseason while battling a knee injury this summer. When fully healthy, the former third-rounder from the University of Washington should start in three-wide sets in Tampa alongside Emeka Egbuka (toe) and veteran Chris Godwin Jr. A significant neck injury suffered last preseason limited McMillan to only four games last year, but he impressed with 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games played in 2024 as a rookie, and there's room for upside in 2026 in Tampa's passing attack now that Mike Evans is no longer in town. Still, injury concerns are not going away, and McMillan is going to have to prove it before most fantasy managers in 12-team leagues take notice. RotoBaller currently has McMillan ranked as the WR57 in half-PPR formats, right behind 49ers veteran wideout Deebo Samuel Sr.
Aug 26, 2026 10:05 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Returns to Practice After Multi-Week Absence
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is back at practice on Tuesday, working in pads after missing almost two weeks with a sore knee. Head coach Todd Bowles had shared with the media on Monday that the third-year receiver was considered day-to-day, and with McMillan back in action a day later, he will look to pick back up where he left off in what had been reported as a solid start to training camp. Injuries have unfortunately become a major piece of McMillan's story, missing 13 games in 2025 after suffering a serious neck injury in the preseason, but when he's on the field, he's been a fantasy difference-maker, topping 14 half-PPR points in six of his last nine games. At RotoBaller's WR59, McMillan offers underrated value from the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Aug 18, 2026 6:13 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Considered Day-to-Day
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is considered day-to-day, according to Pewter Report. McMillan has been nursing a sore knee for almost two weeks, although it does not appear to be anything serious enough to put his availability in question for the start of the 2026 regular season. The 24-year-old was held out of the team's preseason opener against the New York Jets and will most likely not take part in this Saturday's preseason contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. When fully healthy, McMillan will likely operate as Tampa's WR3 in 2026 behind Emeka Egbuka (toe) and veteran Chris Godwin Jr. The former third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft from the University of Washington only played in four games last year due to a serious neck injury that he suffered in the preseason. McMillan had 37 receptions on 58 targets for 461 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie for the Bucs. RotoBaller currently has McMillan ranked as the No. 59 overall fantasy WR.
Aug 17, 2026 10:59 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Returns to Individual Drills
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) returned to individual position drills Tuesday, according to Scott Smith. That is a step forward after McMillan missed several practices with the knee injury he suffered earlier in camp. Head coach Todd Bowles initially said the team was being cautious after McMillan banged the knee, then acknowledged last week that he was not sure how long the receiver would be out. McMillan is not all the way back yet, though. Smith noted that it remained to be seen whether he would take part in team drills, so this should not be treated as a full return to practice. McMillan played only four games last season after a serious neck injury, finishing with 12 catches for 178 yards. Getting him back into individual work is encouraging, but his participation in team periods will give a better indication of how close he is to resuming a normal workload.
Aug 11, 2026 10:56 AM EST
Buccaneers Unsure How Long Jalen McMillan Will be Out
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Thursday that he's unsure how long wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) will be out in training camp, according to Pewter Report. McMillan has been sitting out of practices this week and was seen wearing a sleeve on his left calf on Tuesday. The Bucs are being careful with the 24-year-old wideout, who played in only four regular-season games a year ago due to a scary neck injury that he suffered in the preseason. Barring a setback once McMillan returns to the field, it seems like he'll be fine for the start of the regular season in September. With future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans no longer in Tampa, the former third-rounder in 2024 from the University of Washington is going to have a bigger role in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's scheme alongside Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. Fantasy managers will want to target him as a potential late-round sleeper as a WR4/5 for depth in upcoming drafts as long as his knee injury doesn't linger this summer.
Aug 6, 2026 8:06 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Dealing with a Knee Issue
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been a regular standout in his third training camp with the team, but he could miss some time as he tends to a knee issue. Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Wednesday that McMillan banged the knee a couple days ago, and that they're being careful with him. While the injury does not sound to be overly serious, his status will need to be monitored over the coming days. Second-year receiver Tez Johnson also sustained a groin strain, which could open a path for rookie Ted Hurst to see more work with the first team offense. McMillan suffered a serious neck injury during the 2025 preseason, which caused him to miss 13 games, and with an expanded role potentially on tap following the departure of six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans, a cautious approach from the team would be understandable.
Aug 5, 2026 7:02 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Making His Presence Felt at Buccaneers Camp
After missing most of the 2025 season with a significant neck injury sustained during preseason action, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been a full participant in the early days of training camp, regularly flashing the underrated abilities that allowed him to finish as the fantasy WR19 or better in six of his last 10 games played. With the Buccaneers working on two-minute drills during Friday's practice, team staff writer Brianna Dix highlighted a perfectly run dig route that resulted in a long touchdown, and pointed out the contagious energy he brought to the offense by skipping into the end zone. The play came with McMillan aligned on the outside of the formation, which could prove to be a spot he finds himself in more frequently following the departure of six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans. McMillan is RotoBaller's WR56 and a candidate to greatly outperform ADP if he can stay healthy and earn a regular spot on the outside.
Aug 1, 2026 6:48 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Emerging as a Sneaky Redraft Sleeper Ahead of 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan's 2025 season was derailed by a preseason neck injury that kept him out until Week 15. However, the 24-year-old should be healthy heading into 2026, and he will have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the Tampa Bay passing game following the offseason departure of former Bucs' wideout Mike Evans. McMillan has flashed upside across the first 17 games of his NFL career, recording 49 catches for 639 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 targets. While Emeka Egbuka is likely locked into the WR1 role in Tampa Bay, presumed Bucs WR2 Chris Godwin Jr. is entering his age-30 season and has battled both injuries and declining production in recent years. As the WR59 by current redraft ADP, McMillan profiles as a sneaky sleeper for fantasy managers to target in drafts ahead of 2026.
Jul 16, 2026 10:45 AM EST
Jalen McMillan's Dynasty Cost Yet to Reflect the Buzz Coming Out of Minicamp
After a red-hot finish to his 2024 rookie season, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan suffered a frightening neck injury in the 2025 preseason and was limited to only four games in his sophomore campaign. Topping 100 yards in a Week 17 loss to the Dolphins, he reminded fantasy managers of his league-winning finish from the previous season, and now heading into his third season, a healthy McMillan could be primed for an expanded role and a more consistent outlook. With six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans not on the roster for the first time since 2013, the Buccaneers are left with massive shoes to fill on the outside, and McMillan has both the size and versatility to handle some of that responsibility. Multiple reports out of Buccaneers OTAs and minicamp listed McMillan as an early standout, and with his dynasty cost yet to truly reflect the opportunity before him, he remains a low-stakes trade target with proven upside. McMillan is currently RotoBaller's dynasty WR63, though that ranking is certain to rise if the buzz around him continues to grow when the team reconvenes for training camp.
Jun 24, 2026 5:13 AM EST
Jalen McMillan has an Opportunity for a Bigger Role in 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has an "opportunity to take on a larger role" in the team's offense in 2026 following Mike Evans' departure to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency this offseason, according to Bucs Report. McMillan was limited to just four games (two starts) in 2025 in his second year in the league after he fractured three vertebrae and suffered two herniated discs in his neck in a preseason game. In his four games played, the 24-year-old made a difference, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 178 yards, although he didn't find the end zone. McMillan caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns on 58 targets in 13 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024 after being taken in the third round out of the University of Washington. Seven of his TDs came in his final five games of the year. With Evans now out of the picture, the Bucs are looking for stability on the outside, and head coach Todd Bowles has praised McMillan's work ethic and resilience. Because of the nose for the end zone that he showed as a rookie, and with increased opportunity in Year 3, McMillan is worth a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts in 2026.
Jun 23, 2026 10:23 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Has Been 'Slightly Better' Than Teammate During OTAs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan looked "slightly better" than teammate Emeka Egbuka during OTAs this past week, according to Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com. Fantasy managers shouldn't invest too much stock into one week of practices, as it's not uncommon for different players to exceed expectations from time to time. With that being said, McMillan's improvements could be something worth monitoring going forward. McMillan is entering his third year with the Bucs, and if he continues to put together a strong summer, he'll be in the mix for a prominent fantasy football role. It's also worth noting that this report should only be viewed as an encouraging sign for McMillan, and not a slight toward Egbuka. Reynolds made it clear that Egbuka had a very strong week, too. All in all, it sounds like the Bucs' top three receivers -- Egbuka, McMillan, and Chris Godwin Jr. -- are all trending in the right direction as they look to provide more support to quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2026. McMillan could be a steal at his current ADP of 173 (WR62).
May 30, 2026 4:45 PM EST
Jalen McMillan to Play All Three Receiver Positions?
For the first time since 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to play a season without six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, but local media member Scott Reynolds believes the adjustment could go just fine, in part due to the versatility of third-year professional Jalen McMillan. McMillan was a fantasy league-winner down the stretch of his 2024 rookie season, and while a scary preseason neck injury limited him to only four games in 2025, he again topped 100 receiving yards in Week 17. Reynolds believes his ability to play all three receiver spots could lead to similar results across his 2026 campaign. With Zac Robinson arriving from the Falcons as the new offensive coordinator, Tampa will likely see fewer three-receiver sets after deploying 11-personnel at the league's second-highest rate in 2025, and with Emeka Egbuka unlikely to leave the field with any regularity in his second season, a potential rotation between McMillan, Chris Godwin Jr., and 2026 third-round pick Ted Hurst could make those 100-yard performances difficult to predict. As such, McMillan projects as a more useful piece in best ball formats, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR71, there is still potential to land him well below his actual value with an opportunity for him to see a larger-than-expected workload.
May 30, 2026 5:13 AM EST
Jalen McMillan a Low-Cost Buy Who Can Provide Spike Weeks
The dynasty value of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been difficult to gauge through his first two seasons in the league, making him an attractive low-cost buy before this week's NFL Draft. A third-round pick in 2024, his rookie season began slowly but took off late in the year. On the strength of eight receiving touchdowns across his final five games, McMillan was the WR7 from Weeks 14 through 18. Peaking as KeepTradeCut's WR30 in the early 2025 offseason, any hopes of a true sophomore breakout were suppressed when the Buccaneers used the 19th overall pick on Emeka Egbuka and then fully extinguished when a scary preseason neck injury cost McMillan all but four games in 2025. With the Buccaneers' offense struggling as a whole by the time he returned, McMillan still managed to top 100 yards in Week 17, providing a WR10 finish in fantasy championship week and reminding managers of his spike potential. With Mike Evans signing a three-year deal with the 49ers in free agency, McMillan could be primed for his biggest role to date as the most prototypical boundary receiver remaining in Tampa. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR65, McMillan is a low-cost acquisition who has already shown the ability to win weeks, making him particularly undervalued in best-ball formats.
Apr 22, 2026 6:03 AM EST
Jalen McMillan Headed for a Bigger Role in 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan should occupy a larger role during the 2026 season after former teammate Mike Evans departed in free agency. Evans signed with the 49ers, leaving McMillan as the Bucs' new No. 3 receiver behind Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. The Washington product had an impressive rookie season back in 2024, catching 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing four games. He was trending toward being a major breakout candidate in 2025, but that fell apart due to the emergence of Egbuka and a neck injury that sidelined McMillan for 13 games. With the injury behind him and Evans gone, McMillan once again has an opportunity to break out in fantasy football. The pass-heavy Bucs offense has repeatedly shown that it can support three fantasy-relevant receivers, so fantasy managers should feel optimistic about McMillan for 2026. He's still relatively affordable in dynasty trades given his 13-week absence last year, so managers might be able to acquire him for cheap.
Apr 1, 2026 8:45 AM EST
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