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Bucs Place WR On Injured Reserve

Originally posted on PewterReport.com | By Matt Matera | Last updated Sep 30, 2026 2:36 PM ET

The Bucs officially placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan on injured reserve on Wednesday. This comes after it was reported that McMillan had a PCL sprain on the same knee that he injured during training camp. McMillan was injured on the first series of the game and was ruled out soon after. This injury is expected to keep him out anywhere from six to eight weeks.

Bucs Missing Jalen McMillan For A Long Stretch

It’s been a tough stretch injury-wise for McMillan who will miss significant time for a second year in a row and sustain injuries that will keep him out of games during the regular season. He was out for four games during his rookie season, and then had a fractured vertebrae with a serious neck injury after being flipped on a hit in the preseason in a terrifying fashion, costing him to miss 13 games.

McMillan’s 2026 season never truly got off the ground this season. He was out for Week 1 and only played seven offensive snaps in Week 2. Then after going out on the first drive in Week 3 and he only had one target all season long.

Expected to be a big part of this receiving core, it’s once again another setback. The entire offense for the Bucs is struggling, so missing a weapon like McMillan is a rough blow. Tampa Bay will still be led by second year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and veteran wideout Chris Godwin Jr. Moving into the third role is wide receiver Ted Hurst III, who scored his first career touchdown last game and played more snaps than any receiver. The Bucs will also use Tez Johnson sporadically, so they are well equipped to handle their depth.

There won’t be another addition at wide receiver as Kameron Johnson is also on the active roster. The Bucs already filled McMillan’s roster spot by signing safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. They also added Brett Rypien to the practice squad with Baker Mayfield out and Jalon Daniels taking over as the starter.

Not much has gone right for the Bucs this season. They’re off to an 0-3 start and are missing important players with McMillan and especially Mayfield. Tampa Bay is only one game out in the NFC South division, but given their issues as a team, it’s difficult to see how they will overcome this.

This article first appeared on Pewter Report and was syndicated with permission.

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