Jalen McMillan reportedly expected to start in crucial game vs. Oregon State
Jalen McMillan will start and is expected to play a larger role in the offense this week for No. 5 Washington.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, McMillan went through a full week of practice with the Huskies. Thamel cited an unnamed source that said McMillan is “good to go” ahead of a top-15 matchup with Oregon State.
The 6-foot-1 junior from Fresno came back this season hoping to build on a breakout 2022 campaign, but he has been hampered by leg injury sustained during the win over Michigan State on Sept. 16 and has only managed a handful of snaps since.
He missed games against Cal and Arizona before trying to return against Oregon but was quickly forced back to the sidelines. Then he missed the Arizona State game before attempting another return against Stanford. He did not play against USC, then sought a second opinion on his knee injury and returned to the field against Utah last week.
McMillan has only seen around 20 offensive snaps since the Michigan State game. But his return could be a big boost to the UW pass game.
Washington should have its full complement of pass-catchers against Oregon State. Rome Odunze has already topped 1,000 yards. Ja’Lynn Polk is 57 yards away from 1,000. McMillan had 311 yards and three touchdowns through the first three weeks of the season. He had eight catches in each of his first two games.
Kickoff between the Huskies and No. 11 Oregon State is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on ABC.