Buccaneers’ Jalen McMillan IR move comes alongside QB addition

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have endured a dreadful start to the 2026 season. Tampa is one of five teams to start 0-3 and the season is already looking pretty grim. The latest injury news out of Tampa Bay does not make the situation look any better ahead of Week 4.

The Buccaneers have placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan on injured reserve, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. McMillan is dealing with a knee injury and will miss a minimum of four games.

In a corresponding move, Tampa also signed quarterback Brett Rypien to their practice squad.

McMillan was diagnosed with a PCL sprain on Monday after getting injured in Week 3 against the Vikings. The early thinking is that McMillan could miss up to eight weeks. That should put even more stress on a Tampa offense that is already struggling.

The Buccaneers will be without QB Baker Mayfield for a few weeks after he picked up a thumb injury in Week 3. Backup Jalon Daniels will get the start in Week 4 and Rypien should be behind him on the depth chart.

As for the wide receiver position, Tampa can still rely on Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and rookie Ted Hurst III while McMillan gets healthy. Hurst figures to be the biggest beneficiary of McMillan’s injury and could become a much bigger part of the offense.

Still, the Buccaneers are in a desperate position at 0-3. Tampa needs to stack a few wins as quickly as possible to get the season back on the rails. But that will be difficult without Mayfield and McMillan on offense.

It will be fascinating to see how Tampa’s offense looks in Week 4 without Mayfield under center.

Next up for the Buccaneers is a home game against the Packers. This NFC matchup kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 4 from Raymond James Stadium.