Bucs WR Jalen McMillan absorbs a hit from Atlanta safety Xavier Watts on McMillan’s first catch of the season, a 19-yard grab that set up the Bucs’ first touchdown Thursday.

It was, unfortunately, an unforgettable scene on an otherwise warm Pittsburgh summer night.

Second-year Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan went up for a pass in a worthless preseason game and was undercut by a piece of camp meat for the Steelers, Daryl Porter, trying to make a splash play.

Classic reason why these trash preseason games are a stain upon a learned society.

McMillan landed on his head as if someone dropped him off the U.S. Steel Tower. After a scary few moments, McMillan walked off the field with Bucs trainers.

Fast forward three hours and Joe saw McMillan walking to the Bucs locker room wearing a neck brace. Uh, oh.

Turned out McMillan had three broken vertebrae in his neck. He was finally cleared to play last week and it didn’t take long for him to have an impact against Atlanta.

McMillan took a Baker Mayfield pass over the middle for a 19-yard gain down to the Atlanta-1 to set up Sean Tucker’s one-yard plunge.

The fact McMillan went right over the middle and didn’t flinch for his first catch since the injury, that surprised Joe. Anyone would understand if he was skittish going for a catch in traffic, given what he just went through.

Joe spoke with McMillan after the game Thursday night and asked him about that catch in traffic. In short, McMillan told Joe that he was given a second chance on a football life.

McMillan looks at it as he’s playing in the NFL on borrowed time so why worry about anything? All gas, no brakes.

“I felt good, I didn’t like how the game went,” McMillan said. “I’d rather come out with a W.”

McMillan then clarified how he felt awful about the loss but felt good, physically, playing football again.

“I was almost paralyzed,” McMillan said. “When I had the chance to come back, I understood you don’t get many opportunities like this. So I was excited to be back.”

So, he said, the last thing he was thinking about was getting hit again, especially over the middle. When he’s on the field, he has one mindset.

“Do my job, go out there and have fun,” McMillan said. If that means running into a mass of defenders, well, that’s part of the job.

Emeka Egbuka told Joe that seeing McMillan back on the field under the likes was motivating.

“A lot of people don’t get second chances,” Egbuka said. “My brother was almost paralyzed. I think just him knowing that he has a true sense of gratitude for the game, he is able to play with his hair on fire.

“He’s not really worried about anything because he has a second chance. I am super happy for him. That’s my brother for life, so I am glad he was able to get out there on the field.

“It was our first official game together. Many more to come.”

With the addition of both McMillan and Mike Evans, that Bucs offense on Thursday night sure looked a lot better.