Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, but it wasn't all bad for fans.
Because they got to see Jalen McMillan for the first time this season after suffering a neck injury in preseason, and the second-year receiver didn't disappoint.
He hauled in two catches for 38 yards in his return, and it was good for the soul seeing Jalen back playing the game he loves.
But we might now have a bigger appreciation for Jalen and what he went through over the past few months, as on Monday, he was honest about what he went through with his neck injury.
“It was dark for me at first,” McMillan said. “At first, I felt good, and I thought it was just a minor injury, and then the doctor said I almost got paralyzed. So, it scared me a little bit. There was doubt too because I didn't know if I was going to be playing again."
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McMillan opens up on neck injury
The fact that McMillan was nearly paralyzed is a seriously scary thing, and that's just from a physical standpoint.
Dealing with that news mentally was no doubt a big challenge for Jalen, and he detailed that it was a hard time in his life.
"I kept having to try to wake up with a positive attitude, and I didn't for like two weeks," McMillan added. "I was just sad and depressed, but then a mode switched, I was able to wake up, do positive things, find small wins, celebrate the small wins throughout the day."
Now with his first game of the year under his belt, the hope is that Jalen will use this as a springboard for the rest of the season and help fire Tampa Bay into the playoffs.
With the journey Jalen went through over the last few months, he gained a new appreciation for the game he loves, because it was so close to being taken away from him.
More Buccaneers news:
- Baker Mayfield shoulders blame for Buccaneers' collapse against Falcons
- Bucky Irving's frustrating lack of usage near goal line explained by Bucs reporter
- Todd Bowles points finger after Bucs' loss to Falcons and it wasn't at the coaches
- Buccaneers vs. Falcons final score, results: Kirk Cousins, Falcons storm back from 14-point deficit to shock Buccaneers