If Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan return for Week 15 vs. the Falcons, the Bucs will unleash a historic four-receiver lineup for a crucial division clash.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan from injured reserve as the team prepares to host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
Both are currently listed as questionable, though Evans and McMillan joined practice Wednesday.
If the two dress for Thursday's division matchup at Raymond James Stadium, they'll join rookie Emeka Egbuka and veteran Chris Godwin in the Bucs' lineup for the first time all season.
Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Wednesday that Evans and McMillan looked good.
"[T]hey looked fresh, they ran great routes, they looked like they never left," Bowles said Wednesday.
"Obviously, they haven't been hit or anything yet, but they looked good in practice."
Evans, 32, has had an injury-riddled 2025. The seventh-overall pick in 2014 (out of Texas A&M), Evans was on pace to break his tie with Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons with at least 1,000-yards receiving at 11. After missing three weeks with a hamstring injury against the New York Jets in Week 3, Evans was sidelined with a concussion early in his return game on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions. The six-time Pro Bowler also suffered a broken clavicle at the time and has been out … until being activated for Week 15.
McMillan, in his second year, has been on injured reserve since suffering a neck injury in the second game of the preseason. He played 13 games last season (starting 12), catching 37 passes for 461 yards and a team-leading eight touchdowns (second among all rookies). A third-round pick out of Washington, he surged later in the season, finishing with 37 catches for 461 yards. In the Bucs' final five games of 2024, McMillan surpassed 50 receiving yards in every game and led all NFL players in that span with seven TD receptions.
The Buccaneers (7-6) are currently tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South. The Falcons are 4-9, coming off a 37-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 3-10 New Orleans Saints sit in last place in the division.
Tampa's only realistic path to the playoffs is with the NFC South crown, as the Bucs currently hold the No. 4 seed in the conference, behind the Rams (10-3), Packers (9-3-1) and Eagles (8-5).
Tristan Wirfs, who was limited in practice Monday and Tuesday, participated fully Wednesday and is expected back Thursday night. The All-Pro left tackle sat out the Bucs' 24-20 loss to the Saints last Sunday with an oblique injury.
Doubtful versus Atlanta are starting safety Tykee Smith (neck, shoulder) and starting tight end Cade Otton (knee). Both returned to limited practice on Wednesday after sitting out earlier this week.
Following Thursday night's game, Tampa Bay goes on the road to take on Carolina, then the Miami Dolphins, before returning home to host the Panthers to wrap up the season.