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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be getting healthier at the perfect time.
As CBS Sports noted, Jalen McMillan took an important step forward Tuesday, logging a limited participation in the Buccaneers’ walkthrough.
This is his first notable on-field involvement of the week as he pushes toward making his 2025 regular-season debut.
He has been sidelined since suffering a neck injury in the preseason, but the momentum is finally turning.
Head coach Todd Bowles said McMillan is “in play” for Thursday night’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
With a full practice scheduled for Wednesday, the team expects to learn more tomorrow.
They will have a clearer idea whether McMillan will officially be activated from injured reserve ahead of their primetime showdown.
McMillan Nears Season Debut
McMillan’s injury has kept him out all season after a promising preseason was halted by a neck issue suffered against the Steelers in August.
Tampa placed him on IR to open the year, delaying what many expected to be an impactful second season.
Only last week was he cleared to resume on-field work as he participated in limited fashion to work his way back into game shape.
His return couldn’t come at a more critical moment.
The Buccaneers, now 7-6, are locked in a tight NFC South battle with the Carolina Panthers.
Tampa’s offense has struggled mightily without its full complement of offensive weapons.
They are only averaging just 15.6 points over its last three contests.
Getting McMillan back, alongside Mike Evans and Tristan Wirfs, would provide a meaningful lift to Baker Mayfield and the struggling Bucs offense.
While McMillan is unlikely to handle a full workload immediately, his presence provides some much needed depth to a receiving core that has been banged up all season.
Fantasy Football Outlook:
As exciting as McMillan’s return is, fantasy managers should stay patient and put a pause on adding him to lineups.
Even if McMillan is activated for TNF, he probably will not have a high snap share.
Tampa Bay’s offense is suddenly crowded again, with Evans nearing a return, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving now healthy and Emeka Egbuka still there.
That leaves McMillan entering as the clear WR4, meaning opportunities will likely be limited early.
His long-term upside is worth monitoring, especially if injuries resurface or Tampa expands its passing volume in must-win games.
He is not yet a fantasy starter nor a priority waiver add except in dynasty leagues.
But for most formats, he’s simply a player to keep an eye on as his role gradually develops down the stretch and hopefully into the postseason.
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