Bucs wide receiver Jalen McMillan lands on the back of his helmet after being upended by Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. following a leaping catch during an exhibition game in August in Pittsburgh.
Bucs wide receiver Jalen McMillan lands on the back of his helmet after being upended by Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. following a leaping catch during an exhibition game in August in Pittsburgh.
TAMPA — Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan continues to recover from what coach Todd Bowles on Friday called a neck “fracture,” with no timetable for his return.
McMillan was injured while making a leaping catch during a preseason game against the Steelers Aug. 16 in Pittsburgh. At the time, Bowles described the injury as a “severely strained neck.”
“It’s no different than it was,” Bowles told the Times Friday in a text message. “A fracture. It’s the same to me.”
McMillan was flipped in the air by Steelers defensive back Daryl Porter Jr. after catching an 18-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater and landed on the back of his helmet. He remained on the field for several minutes but walked off under his own power.
Initially, the Bucs said they expected McMillan to miss the beginning of the season but the injury was not career-threatening. In fact, they indicated he would miss about nine weeks, suggesting he could be back after this week’s bye.
But McMillan still was wearing a neck brace as late as last week, and Bowles would say only that he was improving.
“He’s getting better. I don’t have a specific date for you, either, but he’s definitely getting better,” Bowles said Monday. ”When he gets out of the brace, we’ll see, but he’s definitely feeling better.”
![Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan is upended by Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. while leaping to catch an 18-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater during a preseason game in August.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 826"/%3E)
Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan is upended by Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. while leaping to catch an 18-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater during a preseason game in August.
If McMillan is unable to return this season, it could have an impact on the Bucs’ success. He was a key part of their passing game last season, making 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns.
Mike Evans is not expected back until the end of the regular season, if at all, with a fractured clavicle. Fellow receiver Chris Godwin played in only two games before injuring his fibula and has been out since Oct. 5. He has just six catches for 52 yards.
Bowles said it’s possible Godwin and running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) could begin the process of returning to practice next week.
“I think those guys will start doing some things this week depending on the progress they make,” Bowles said Monday. ”We will see how practice goes next week if they can get some things done this week. I do not have a timeline on it, either. We just have to see how they are progressing."
The Bucs will hold a walk-through on Monday as players return from the bye week.
Up next
vs. Patriots, 1 p.m. Nov. 9, Raymond James Stadium TV/radio: CBS; 97.9-FM
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