Buccaneers activate Godwin, Wirfs; McMillan to IR Week 1 vs Falcons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are navigating a string of high-profile injuries as they approach the start of the regular season, with plans to activate Chris Godwin from the physically unable to perform list and to pull Tristan Wirfs off PUP, while wide receiver Jalen McMillan is headed to injured reserve with a neck injury. The move-and-plan approach means Tampa Bay will begin the season with a thinner wideout group than anticipated, relying on a mix of veterans and a first-round rookie to carry significant responsibility in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Godwin’s activation is described as a ramp-up, meaning he is unlikely to play in September even as he returns to the 53-man roster.

Jalen McMillan’s situation is the most immediate hurdle at receiver. The second-year Washington product sustained a severe neck strain during a preseason game and is expected to miss at least the opening four games of the season if he remains on injured reserve. McMillan showed promise as a rookie, finishing with 37 catches, 461 yards and eight touchdowns, and had been emerging as a key secondary option for the offense after Godwin’s season-ending injury in 2024. Still, the team’s medical and...