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Buccaneers Open Practice Windows for Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan

Tampa Bay faces a 21-day deadline to determine if the receivers are ready to be activated from injured reserve.

Overview

  • The team officially opened 21-day injured-reserve practice windows for Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, making both eligible for activation during that period.
  • Evans, medically cleared following his Week 7 broken clavicle, and McMillan, cleared by spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins after three fractured neck vertebrae, participated in a walkthrough and limited work Wednesday.
  • Head coach Todd Bowles noted the session was a walkthrough and stressed both players require a ramp-up in contact and conditioning, making a Week 14 return unlikely.
  • Under NFL rules, the Buccaneers must activate each player within the 21-day window—roughly by Dec. 24—or keep him on IR for the rest of the season.
  • Tampa Bay is 7-5 and leading the NFC South, and potential late-December reinforcements at receiver would complement recent returns by Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving as the playoff push intensifies.