Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jalen McMillan appeared on the injury report Wednesday with a finger injury, raising questions ahead of Sunday night's wild-card game. Washington commanders.
The good news for Bucs fans came quickly. McMillan, according to RotoBaller Keith Hernandez He participated fully in training on Wednesday. The active participation of the starting receiver indicates that he will be ready for the playoff race, barring any setbacks.
McMillan's presence is essential to Tampa Bay's offense. The 23-year-old has caught fire over the last five games with 24 catches for 316 yards and seven touchdowns. His late-season breakout helped power the Buccaneers to a 6-1 record over their last seven games.
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The Washington product has stepped up brilliantly since Chris Godwin was injured in October. McMillan finished his junior campaign with 37 receptions, 461 yards and eight touchdowns. He scored in five games heading into the playoffs.
Baker MayfieldHe praised the development of McMillan, who posted career-best numbers with 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns.
“For him, the biggest thing you look for in any rookie is progression throughout the year, and he's done that,” Mayfield said Sunday.
Jalen McMillan could be Tampa Bay's playoff X-Factor
Jalen McMillans influence goes beyond statistical reporting. 33rd Team's Ian Valentino pegged the young receiver as the X-factor for Tampa Bay's postseason run.
“The link has been changed at McMillan,” Valentino wrote Thursday. “He was a more prominent feature on offense and his role in beating New Orleans to win the NFC South already capped off the season … Evans will always be the alpha in Tampa Bay, but McMillan now has Baker. Mayfield's confidence.”
Coach Todd Bowles highlighted McMillan's understanding of the offense and his growing confidence.
“When the guys came down early in the year, he got a chance to get his feet wet and figure out where he needs to be on the field,” Bowles said. “The older guys have helped him a lot and he's playing really fast right now.”
As Tampa Bay prepares to host Washington, the stakes are getting pretty high. These teams met in Week 1 and the Buccaneers won 37-20. McMillan's evolution since that season opener adds another dimension to Tampa Bay's passing attack.
McMillan's partnership with the future Hall of Famer Mike Evans Tampa Bay can give the offensive advantage in the upcoming games.
Edited by Krutik Jain