You ever ordered a pizza, tracked it for an hour, then get a notification it’s already at your door? That is how energetic the mood in Tampa feels right now. In one moment, fans were preparing themselves for possibly another week of the team relying on a patchwork offense. In the next moment, the entire formula for the offense had changed.
Whispers began circulating around Monday morning. Those whispers were growing louder as players practiced in the afternoon. There was something cooking inside the AdventHealth Training Center, but it wasn’t just the coffee that was being prepared for the game.
The Jalen McMillan Comeback Trail Has Heat
Here is the news that has everyone talking. On December 3, the Buccaneers activated the 21-day practice window for Jalen McMillan. This is the exact same young wide receiver who suffered three fractured vertebrae during a preseason collision. In fact, the injury was so severe that he was required to wear a brace for months. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Dr. Robert Watkins, a renowned spinal specialist, has given McMillan medical clearance. This is a huge milestone for McMillan.
#Bucs WR Jalen McMillan is expected to have his 21-day practice window opened today, source said. Some very good news for Tampa Bay. https://t.co/Kve7hDsoao
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2025
McMillan is not just any player returning to the fold. Remember his rookie season? Down the stretch, he lit it up like a classic Hollywood montage. He led the entire NFL with 7 touchdown receptions over the final 6 weeks of the regular season. His 8 total touchdowns tied for third-most among rookies in Buccaneers franchise history. McMillan is a legitimate red-zone nightmare. Meanwhile, the Bucs activated the practice window for Mike Evans too. So, how will this affect the current roster?
Imagine Baker Mayfield in the shotgun formation. All of a sudden, he’ll have options on both sides of the ball. Mike Evans is a towering figure on the outside. Chris Godwin is working the middle of the field. First-round sensation Emeka Egbuka is stretching the field vertically. Add Jalen McMillan’s quickness and savvy route running to this group, and defensive coordinators are going to be losing sleep. This could completely change the tempo of the Buccaneers’ offense just in time for a playoff push.
But let’s be honest here. Practice windows are not guarantees. Coach Todd Bowles seemed cautiously optimistic. “He’s been running,” Bowles said. “It’s just a matter of him putting on a helmet and seeing where he is strength-wise with his neck.” The Buccaneers will likely continue to bring McMillan along slowly. However, his very presence on the practice field is a psychological boost for a team clinging to first place in the NFC South. This story is far from finished, and the next chapter in this saga is developing into an entire division-wide story.
A Saints Clash with New Stakes
There is no coincidence regarding the timing of this surprising news. The Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. The Saints have yet to play a single snap this season with Evans, Egbuka, and Godwin on the field together. The looming specter of Jalen McMillan’s return looms large. Even if he does not play in Week 14, his progress is a message to the Saints and the Panthers that the Buccaneers’ arsenal is reloading.
The Buccaneers’ offense currently ranks dead-last (26th) in impact metrics. They have struggled with consistency. A healthy Jalen McMillan adds a safety net for the Bucs. McMillan converted 23 of 37 of his catches into first downs last season. That’s a first-down machine right there! The potential return of McMillan also forces opposing teams to defend honestly and potentially frees up space for Rachaad White and the Bucs’ running game.
Consider the remainder of the Buccaneers’ schedule. Of the Buccaneers’ final 5 games, four of them will be against division opponents. This is where a team defines its season. The return of key players turns a plodding slog into a frenetic sprint. The Panthers are only a half-game behind the Buccaneers. Each single play, and each single available player, will carry immense weight.
The Buccaneers have weathered an injury storm throughout the season. But now, at the perfect moment, the clouds are parting. The return of Jalen McMillan is about representing the resilience and strategic depth of the Buccaneers. When the Saints arrive in Tampa Bay this weekend, it won’t be just a current test for the Buccaneers. Rather, the Buccaneers will be flashing a warning sign to the rest of the NFC about the potent, full-strength version of the Buccaneers they always intended to be.
Main Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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