McMillan to IR, Rypien to the Practice Squad: Tampa Bay Is Preparing for the Worst

The Buccaneers made it official Wednesday: Jalen McMillan goes on injured reserve with the knee he hurt in the first quarter against Minnesota, and Mark Rypien joins the practice squad. That second move is the telling one. You add a quarterback to your practice squad when you're not sure your starter is coming back soon.

Baker Mayfield's dislocated right thumb is still being evaluated, and no return timeline has been confirmed. What is confirmed is that Tampa Bay is 0–3, its franchise quarterback is hurt, and the receiving corps that was already thin after Emeka Egbuka's August scare is now thinner. Egbuka led this team in receiving last season and remains active, but McMillan was supposed to be the depth behind him. That depth is gone for at least four games.

The backup situation is what it is. Garrett Greene is atop the depth chart, with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels behind him. Neither has been tested at this level in a meaningful way. The Buccaneers spent the better part of five months and $165 million making sure they didn't have to find out.

Three weeks ago I noted that the extension closed the offseason's messiest chapter. The football part was supposed to be the straightforward part. It has not been.