Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan Carted Off After Landing On His His Head In Terrifying Scene vs. Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan was carted off in Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after landing on his head in a horrific scene.

On the Buccaneers’ second offensive possession in Saturday’s contest, backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Jalen McMillan hooked up for a beautiful 18-yard catch on a 3rd-and-8 play.

But as McMillan jumped up to snag the ball, he was hit in midair by Steelers cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. and landed on his head. McMillan was down for several moments before being taken away in a cart:

Scary moment for Bucs WR Jalen McMillan. Makes a terrific catch but gets hit and lands right on his head.

Thankfully he would jog off on his own power🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/1LhjytmHWM

— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) August 16, 2025

Hope Jalen McMillan is okay for the Buccaneers. Nasty landing on his neck.

Ugly landing warning in video. pic.twitter.com/8zwaII7nkt

— Inside The Dome (@inside_the_dome) August 16, 2025

Thankfully, Jalen McMillan was able to sit and appeared fully alert as he was being carted off the field:

Jalen McMillan carted off @Buccaneers at @steelers game #HereWeGo #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/vNcWIUt1vS

— Matt Miller (@MattMillerPGH) August 16, 2025

The Buccaneers later announced that he was out for the game with a back injury and was being evaluated for a concussion. We’ll provide more details on McMillan’s status when they become available.

WR Jalen McMillan (back) is OUT for the remainder of tonight's game. McMillan is also being evaluated for a concussion. pic.twitter.com/pxzFVmiZn1

— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) August 16, 2025

Tampa Bay has already been hit hard by the injury bug on the offensive side of the ball, with All-Pro offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs Jr. and star wide receiver Chris Godwin likely to miss multiple games to begin the season. They can only hope that Jalen McMillan avoided a serious injury and will return to the field sooner rather than later.

Jalen McMillan Looks To Build Off Stellar Rookie Year

McMillan was one of the top rookies of 2024, with 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. He stepped up big time when Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in a Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Buccaneers open the 2025 season with a road game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7.