Buccaneers strengthen as star receivers return from injury
After months on the sidelines, wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are preparing to return to practice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With just five regular season games remaining, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sitting pretty at the top of the NFC South.
The Bucs’ 2025 form has been particularly impressive considering the injury troubles that have befallen two key offensive pieces. Wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan have both missed months of the season due to fitness issues, but both now look set to return down the stretch.
The big boost for Tampa Bay is the news that star WR Evans has entered the 21-day practice window, indicating that he is approaching a return to the team. The 32-year-old broke his collarbone and suffered a concussion during the Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions.
Sources: #Bucs legendary WR Mike Evans is having his practice window opened off IR, and he’ll return to practice today. A quicker than expected return from a broken clavicle, Evans has been medically cleared.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2025
So Jalen McMillan and Evans practice today. pic.twitter.com/rI3UxphRjX
Evans had only just recovered from a hamstring injury when he made a hard landing against the Lions. With six Pro Bowl appearances to his name, Evans is the prime target for quarterback Baker Mayfield and will be a major boost for Tampa Bay once he’s back on the field.
Another big positive for the Buccaneers is the imminent return of McMillan, the second-year receiver. He put up 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns during an impressive rookie season last year but a serious preseason injury has prevented him from taking to the field this year.
McMillan was expected to begin the season as a starter but he landed awkwardly during preseason. The team reported that he had suffered a “severely sprained neck” and he has been in a brace for months as he recovers.
Having sustained serious injuries, both McMillan and Evans will need time to return to their previous levels. But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a commanding position in the NFC South and the return of two key offensive options will only strengthen the team.
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