The Carolina Panthers have an outside chance to clinch the NFC South in Week 17 and avoid a Week 18 showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but now they may have to do it with one of their best players compromised.
Star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan popped up on the injury report on Sunday morning with an illness before the Panthers take on the NFC-leading Seattle Seahawks. He was listed as questionable, according to the team, but the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite now active and will play on Sunday per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Having McMillan on the field and at full strength will be vital for a Panthers squad that is battling for a playoff spot against one of the best defenses in the NFL. With a win over Seattle and a Buccaneers loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Panthers would clinch the NFC South and a home playoff game on Wild Card Weekend.
McMillan has emerged as the top rookie in the league this season on the offensive side of the ball and has consistently been the top target for Bryce Young. He leads the Panthers in almost all receiving categories with 65 catches on 112 targets for 924 yards and seven touchdowns.
Seattle has one of the best pass defenses in football led by star cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Both McMillan and Witherspoon will move around the formation a little bit, but they should see plenty of each other in this game.
While the Seahawks have long locked up a playoff spot, they still have plenty to play for in this Week 17 tilt. Wins in the final two weeks of the season would give the Seahawks the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, which would be a big boost for a team with a banged-up offensive line and a great home-field advantage.
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald is a defensive wizard leading one of the best units in the league, so expect to see a lot of unique looks thrown McMillan's way on Sunday.
