Wide receiver Jalen McMillan left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ second preseason outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers with what was officially described as a “back” injury, but there was certainly cause for concern after the promising second-year draft pick appeared to land directly on his neck as he was upended on a high, leaping reception.
After the game, McMillan was seen entering the locker room wearing a neck brace in a video clip shared by Tampa Bay Times insider Rick Stroud. However, the Bucs wide receiver was quick to send a message to fans on Instagram later that evening.
ESPN Buccaneers reporter Jenna Laine reposted that message on X. It read: “God is amazing. Don’t worry yall im str8 [straight].” With three heart emojis.
Hinting that he had avoided a more serious injury.
Buccaneers Provided Postgame Injury Update on Jalen McMillan
GettyTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan gets upended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr.
After the preseason outing with the Steelers, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told Stroud and other reporters that “[McMillan] hurt his back.” And that he “went into concussion testing and hurt his back.”
“We’ve got to get more tests run,” Bowles added.
Later, on the morning of August 17, Bucs team reporter Scott Smith relayed a follow-up on McMillan, per Bowles.
“Head Coach Todd Bowles says the Bucs are still running tests on WR Jalen McMillan; no update yet,” Smith reported.
This could be one of those situations where a McMillan update drops later today, on August 17, or perhaps the medical situation could take longer and linger into the week. Either way, the early likelihood would be that McMillan will not suit up for the final preseason outing of the summer.
Bucs Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka Continues Strong Preseason vs. Steelers
With injuries to various members of the WR corps, not to mention Chris Godwin’s methodical recovery, the Emeka Egbuka selection is looking more and more important.
It helps that Egbuka has been one of the top training camp standouts around the NFL this summer, and the Buccaneers’ first-rounder continued his hot start against the Steelers during preseason Week 2.
Despite not playing too many snaps, Egbuka caught a beautiful back-shoulder touchdown on a corner route from Teddy Bridgewater.
As usual, the rookie wideout looked as smooth and crisp as a seasoned veteran while running this route and securing the TD.
After the game, Egbuka addressed the Jalen McMillan injury while speaking inside the locker room (via Stroud).
“Gosh, I hate that,” Egbuka expressed. Adding: “I told him he can’t do that to me again. I ran over to him and prayed over him during the game just to make sure the Lord is on his side, healing him in any way that he could.”
“He came out of it good,” Egbuka went on. “He’s joking around more than anyone in the locker room. So, just to see that he’s good and going to make a full recovery and everything like that [is] very reassuring.”
McMillan and Egbuka each finished the preseason victory over the Steelers with one impressive reception for a total of 23 combined yards, but this duo of recent draft picks has displayed that they could be a problem for opposing defenses for years to come.
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