Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr., left, chats with wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of last Sunday's game against the Cardinals. ©Luis SantanaRick Stroud, Times staffWed, December 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM UTC·2 min readFor the first time since suffering a neck injury in a preseason game at Pittsburgh in August, Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan returned to the football field Wednesday.
He didn’t do much during the walk-through portion of practice that was open to the media. But he is out of the neck brace, and head coach Todd Bowles said Monday it’s a matter of the Bucs receiver getting used to wearing a helmet again.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReceiver Mike Evans, who is recovering from a broken clavicle he sustained in a game at Detroit on Oct. 20, was finishing up his rehab during the special teams portion but also made it out to practice.
McMillan fractured three vertebrae in his neck and strained ligaments after making a leaping grab of a pass thrown by Teddy Bridgewater in the first preseason game at Pittsburgh.
Last season, McMillan had 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns, including five in the final seven games.
Evans missed several games with a hamstring injury then broke his collarbone on his return to the lineup against the Lions.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTwo weeks ago, Chris Godwin returned to the lineup. The Bucs play the Saints on Sunday and have a quick turnaround against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football.
• • •
Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
