The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting a pair of key playmakers back.
Wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan have been activated from injured reserve, and are available to play Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons, the Buccaneers announced Wednesday.
Evans has been outside since Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, when he fractured his collarbone. McMillan has been out for the entire season due to a neck injury he sustained in the pre-season.
“Obviously, they haven’t been hit or anything yet, but they looked good in practice,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “They ran great routes and looked like they never left.”
Evans is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns. He came into 2025 with an NFL record-tying 11-season 1,000+ receiving yards streak, but only has 140 yards this year in four games.
McMillan was drafted in the third round by the Buccaneers in 2024, and had 461 receiving yards along with eight touchdowns in his rookie season.
The return of Evans an McMillan is welcome news for a struggling Tampa Bay team who have lost four of its last five, including last Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the 3-10 New Orleans Saints.
