Bucs QB Baker Mayfield loses another top target before Week 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses another top target before Week 1

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 12:41 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving corps has a serious injury to deal with before the regular season.

Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan took a hard hit during the Buccaneers' 17-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game on Saturday night. The 2024 third-round pick landed on his head before jogging off the field.

Per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Tuesday that McMillan will miss the start of the regular season with a strained neck that has him in a brace.

"HC Todd Bowles said WR Jalen McMillan suffered a severely strained neck and will miss time, including the start of the season," Meirov posted on X. "McMillan is currently in a neck brace."

#Bucs HC Todd Bowles said WR Jalen McMillan suffered a severely strained neck and will miss time, including the start of the season.

McMillan is currently in a neck brace. pic.twitter.com/rpc2qdimcg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 19, 2025

McMillan had a solid rookie year, appearing in 13 games. The Washington Huskies standout recorded 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. He was the fourth-leading receiver on Tampa Bay last season.

The loss is another frustration for quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is missing Chris Godwin in training camp. The veteran receiver is still recovering from a dislocated left ankle he suffered in Week 7 of last season that required surgery. It's unclear if he'll be ready for the team's Week 1 contest against the Atlanta Falcons.

With Mayfield likely down two familiar targets early in the season, he's going to need Mike Evans to remain reliable while first-round pick Emeka Egbuka develops in his rookie season. The Buccaneers passing game could look a little disjointed early in the regular season.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

More must-reads: