These Friday practices are starting to become a problem for the Bucs. Heading into Week 1, starting defensive tackle Calijah Kancey suffered a calf injury that day and has been out ever since. Fast forward to Week 4 and Tampa Bay had another injury to a starter come up on the last day of practice before the game.

Following the Bucs’ session, Todd Bowles told us that starting rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan had tweaked his hamstring during practice. This will make him questionable for the game as Tampa Bay sees how he looks ahead of the game at 1:00 PM. This came as a surprise considering that McMillan was not on the injury report at all this week.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

In fact, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Kameron Johnson have all been on the injury report at what point or another, but not McMillan.

Among other players, Bowles confirmed that defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are out for Sunday. Kancey has yet to play this season while Winfield got injured in the first game and has been out ever since.

Right tackle Luke Goedeke and nose tackle Vita Vea are going to have a questionable status like McMillan. Goedeke, who has missed the last two games with a concussion, still has to clear protocol.

He’s been practicing every day this week, though, which is a good sign. Vea, who was out last game, has been wearing a knee brace, but has practiced each day, too. His presence is that much more important as the Bucs need to stop Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ running game.

Bucs Plans At Wide Receiver

If McMillan isn’t able to go for Sunday afternoon, it leaves the Bucs a little bit shorthanded. Fellow rookie Kameron Johnson was unavailable last week with an ankle injury as did not participate on Wednesday before being limited on Thursday and being seen practicing Friday. It’s not guaranteed that Johnson will be available.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

Sterling Shepard was called up from the practice squad in Johnson’s place last game and would likely do so again. Still, the Bucs probably wouldn’t want to go in with just four healthy wide receivers, meaning that Cody Thompson could get a shot to dress on Sunday.

Trey Palmer would move in as the third receiver and be a deep threat down the field to open up more areas for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. There’s a big plan to get Evans the ball this week after he hasn’t much targeted as much over the last two games. Godwin on the other hand has been as automatic as they come this season. His 253 receiving yards is eighth overall in the NFL.

It’s been slow start for McMillan in his professional career. He’s made three catches on the season for 59 yards and a touchdown , making just one reception in each game. With that said, he’s playing almost the same amount of snap percentages as Evans and Godwin so he is useful in the offense.

Should McMillan be able to go, there is also a chance they limit the amount of snaps that he takes in the game, which could open the door fr Palmer to make a big play. How offensive coordinator Liam Coen chooses to go about the game plan this week can only be found out when the game kicks off.