Jalen McMillan is set to play Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Cleveland Browns, but he is not expected to have a full-time role yet, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported.
McMillan missed the season opener with a knee injury suffered midway through training camp.
He was a full participant in Buccaneers practice Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Todd Bowles listed him as questionable Friday and called him a game-time decision.
The injury was to his left knee. It held him out of the preseason opener against the New York Jets, and he returned to practice after a little more than two weeks away.
McMillan has had trouble staying on the field. He missed four games as a rookie with hamstring issues.
His 2025 season was mostly lost. He was hurt in a preseason game in mid-August and was later found to have fractures and ligament damage in his neck. He went on injured reserve and played only four games.
Tampa Bay drafted him in the third round in 2024.
The receiver room around him has changed. Mike Evans left for San Francisco, where he caught six passes and a touchdown in his 49ers debut.
Emeka Egbuka, a first-round pick in 2025, and veteran Chris Godwin lead the group.
The Bucs need a lift after the opener. They lost 33-27 at Cincinnati despite rallying from an 18-point deficit, with four lost fumbles doing the damage. Tampa Bay has not started 0-2 since 2014.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield faces the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2018 and later traded him away.
Cleveland is also looking for its first win. The Browns lost 34-10 at Jacksonville, and Deshaun Watson is making his second straight start with Shedeur Sanders next in line.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium on CBS. Inactives are due around 11:30 a.m. ET.
Should McMillan come through Sunday without a setback, his snap share should grow. The Bucs host the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 27 at 4:05 p.m. ET.





