The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to make a couple of tough decisions with star wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan coming back from injury in Week 15, and news of those corresponding roster cuts was reported by FOX Sports beat reporter Greg Auman on December 10.
“Bucs have made it official, reinstating receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve ahead of Thursday’s game vs. the [Atlanta] Falcons,” Auman relayed.
He added that “WR Ryan Miller and DL C.J. Brewer were waived to make room on the 53.”
Buccaneers Briefly Cut WR Ryan Miller in Week 15, But Could Attempt to Re-Sign Him Later
GettyThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived veteran wide receiver Ryan Miller.
Unfortunately, Miller is the undeserving roster casualty at wide receiver. And in a follow-up post, Auman even noted that the fan favorite pass-catcher “was the odd man out today as Bucs got to full strength at receiver.”
On the bright side, the Bucs insider also stated that “while [Miller is] off the 53, [there is a] good chance he’s back on [the] practice squad Monday.”
Miller only recorded 2 receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown in 2025, but he was a consistent contributor on special teams with 204 snaps and eight tackles in that department. Per Auman, both of those special teams statistics ranked fourth for Tampa Bay.
Of course, Buccaneers fans will recall that Miller was a more impactful playmaker in 2024, with 12 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. He developed sneaky chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield throughout last year’s campaign, but it never really translated in 2025.
This season, Miller quickly lost playing time to breakout rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, among others.
If the veteran WR clears waivers, he’ll likely re-sign to the practice squad as Auman noted, and could theoretically be elevated as a core special teamer down the stretch.
C.J. Brewer News Is No Surprise as Buccaneers Activate Mike Evans & Jalen McMillan
The other 53-man roster cut was no surprise. Brewer has seesawed on and off the Bucs’ active roster for years, and he’ll probably stick around on the practice squad, too.
Originally entering the NFL as a 6-foot-2, undrafted defensive tackle, Brewer is now 28 years old. He has only appeared in 5 games this season after suiting up for 12 in 2024, and he was credited with 2.5 sacks over those combined 17 regular season appearances, with 16 total tackles (3 for a loss) and 4 QB hits.
Clearly, the veteran fell out of head coach Todd Bowles’ circle of trust this season, considering how often he’s been a healthy scratch. Brewer began the year on the practice squad, but was added to the active roster back in late September.
Of course, the big Buccaneers news is that both Evans and McMillan will return from injury, and for the same game, ironically.
When Evans suffered his collarbone injury, many believed that he would miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. A sad thought, given that Evans is nearing the end of his illustrious NFL career.
Similarly, McMillan’s preseason neck injury was extremely scary, and some thought the second-year pro would be out several months, if not longer.
In the end, both wideouts made faster recoveries than initially anticipated, and you have to credit their work ethic and the Tampa Bay medical team for that.
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