Jalen McMillan Broken Neck

[Primeminister]

Bowles told JBF that Jalen McMillan has broken bones in his neck. Bowles has maintained this was a severe neck sprain. WTF

[Central_Buc]

Its been over a day and no other media outlet has confirmed. I guess we will see.

[Grahamburn]

Bowles said it in an interview. We’ve always been told it was a sprain.

[BuccaNOLEer]

Rick Stroud is tweeting it as well. So looks like we won't be seeing him this season.

[Doctor]

I hate this so much

[Snake]

Bones heal.

He’ll be back.

[Primeminister]

It’s just wild that this is the first we are hearing of this

[Sooner06]

Damn, hope it's not true. always figured it was just a bad sprain, like whiplash or whatever

[Babeinbucland]

Its been over a day and no other media outlet has confirmed. I guess we will see.

By
Rick StroudTimes staff
Published Earlier today|Updated Earlier today

TAMPA — Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan continues to recover from what coach Todd Bowles on Friday called a neck “fracture,” with no timetable for his return.

McMillan was injured while making a leaping catch during a preseason game against the Steelers Aug. 16 in Pittsburgh. At the time, Bowles described the injury as a “severely strained neck.”

“It’s no different than it was,” Bowles told the Times Friday in a text message. “A fracture. It’s the same to me.”


McMillan was flipped in the air by Steelers defensive back Daryl Porter Jr. after catching an 18-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater and landed on the back of his helmet. He remained on the field for several minutes but walked off under his own power.

Initially, the Bucs said they expected McMillan to miss the beginning of the season but the injury was not career-threatening. In fact, they indicated he would miss about nine weeks, suggesting he could be back after this week’s bye.

But McMillan still was wearing a neck brace as late as last week, and Bowles would say only that he was improving.

“He’s getting better. I don’t have a specific date for you, either, but he’s definitely getting better,” Bowles said Monday. ”When he gets out of the brace, we’ll see, but he’s definitely feeling better.”

If McMillan is unable to return this season, it could have an impact on the Bucs’ success. He was a key part of their passing game last season, making 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns.

Mike Evans is not expected back until the end of the regular season, if at all, with a fractured clavicle. Fellow receiver Chris Godwin played in only two games before injuring his fibula and has been out since Oct. 5. He has just six catches for 52 yards.

Bowles said it’s possible Godwin and running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) could begin the process of returning to practice next week.

“I think those guys will start doing some things this week depending on the progress they make,” Bowles said Monday. ”We will see how practice goes next week if they can get some things done this week. I do not have a timeline on it, either. We just have to see how they are progressing."

[Bootz]

Bones heal.

He’ll be back.

There's levels to this.

Is it a simple hairline fracture? Or did he blow a C4 or C5 or have them displaced. Up until yesterday we were under the impression it was just a bad strain. Now it's fracture or fractures?

All we know is trust nothing the Bucs say about injuries.

[Babeinbucland]

Bones heal.

He’ll be back.

There's levels to this.

Is it a simple hairline fracture? Or did he blow a C4 or C5 or have them displaced. Up until yesterday we were under the impression it was just a bad strain. Now it's fracture or fractures?

All we know is trust nothing the Bucs say about injuries.

I can’t imagine there is more transparency with any other team (for better or worse).