THE Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been hit with a huge injury blow on the eve of the season.
The wide receiver was left in a neck brace and faces a lengthy layoff.
Jalen McMillan, 23, suffered a "severely strained neck," his coach Todd Bowles announced.
He landed awkwardly while jumping to make a catch in a preseason game last week.
McMillan came down on the back of his neck and head after a collision with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Daryl Porter Jr.
Medical staff treated the receiver on the field and he was able to walk off.
The 23-year-old was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
He was then cleared to fly home in a neck brace.
The Buccaneers will place McMillan on injured reserve, which will rule him out for at least four games.
ESPN reported that he will li