Former Washington Huskies star wide receiver Jalen McMillan's career got off to a hot start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he put together 37 catches for 461 yards and 8 touchdowns.
However, after a string of seven touchdowns in the final five games of his rookie season, the third-round pick's career has been marred by injuries. In 2025, he was limited to just four games after he suffered several fractured vertebrae in his neck on a scary fall in the preseason.
Now in 2026, he's had issues with his left knee. In training camp, he knocked knees with another player and was forced to miss a month, and after just nine offensive snaps over two games, he's returning to injured reserve for the second time in his career with a sprained PCL, which is expected
to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
We've officially placed Jalen McMillan on IR.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 30, 2026
Wishing you a speedy recovery, J Mac ♥️ pic.twitter.com/oarJwDaxwG
McMillan's bad injury luck couldn't have come at a worse time in his career. He came into the season as one of coach Todd Bowles' starters, alongside All-Pro Chris Godwin and 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, in the wake of All-Pro Mike Evans' departure, and had an opportunity to step into a critical role for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
But in an 0-3 start, Tampa Bay's struggles have extended far beyond McMillan's absence. The Buccaneers rank No. 26 in the NFL in passing yards in their first year under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who previously held the same role as former UW star quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s play caller with the Atlanta Falcons.
As McMillan recovers, he'll be joined on the sideline by his quarterback, as Mayfield will miss several weeks with a dislocated thumb, and the former UW pass catcher's absence could open up a role for one of his college teammates, tight end Cade Otton.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Former Washington Huskies WR hits injured reserve for second time
