NFL

Buccaneers place Jalen McMillan on IR as quarterback depth shifts

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 30, 2026, 20:55 IST

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have moved wide receiver Jalen McMillan to injured reserve following a knee injury, while veteran quarterback Brett Rypien joins the practice squad amid ongoing roster adjustments.

Buccaneers place Jalen McMillan on IR as quarterback depth shifts

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan on injured reserve, a move that will keep the rookie sidelined for a minimum of four games. The decision follows a PCL sprain in his left knee sustained during Sunday’s defeat against the Minnesota Vikings.

McMillan’s injury occurred during a collision with Vikings safety Josh Metellus while the receiver was attempting to haul in a pass on a corner route. This setback represents a re-aggravation of a knee issue that originally hampered the wideout during training camp and forced him to miss the team's season opener. Reports suggest the recovery timeline for the injury could span six to eight weeks.

Quarterback roster adjustments

In addition to the changes at wide receiver, the Buccaneers have bolstered their quarterback room by signing veteran Brett Rypien to the practice squad. This acquisition provides the organization with further depth at the position, as starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is currently sidelined with a dislocated right thumb and is expected to miss at least the next three weeks.

The team’s quarterback situation remains in flux, with Easton Stick also currently serving on the practice squad. Following Mayfield's injury, the Buccaneers have confirmed that undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is set to step into the starting role, beginning with this week’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Additional roster moves

The midweek roster shuffle also included a promotion from within the organization. The Buccaneers elevated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. These personnel changes arrive as the team navigates a challenging period of injury management across multiple positions, aiming to maintain competitive depth while key starters recover.