Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been nominated for the NFL rookie of the week award following his performance in Week 11. In the Panthers’ 30-27 overtime victory against the Falcons, McMillan recorded eight receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
This performance allowed McMillan to surpass Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka on the rookie yardage list. McMillan now has a total of 54 catches for 748 yards and four touchdowns this season. Egbuka, who has been filling in for an injured group of Buccaneers receivers, currently has 45 catches for 717 yards and six touchdowns.
McMillan contributed to a team effort that saw quarterback Bryce Young distribute passes to nine different players, setting a franchise record with 448 passing yards. Despite having his second-lowest target share of the season at 27 percent, McMillan expressed satisfaction with how involved his teammates were.
“Shoot, honestly, I think we were executing all cylinders, every receiver was going off, just kind of expanding the offense and opening up holes for us. And so I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself at all,” McMillan said. “I mean, that’s big, our guys, the tight end room, the running backs, and especially our receivers coming in and making plays, you know, that’s huge just to fly around and execute on all cylinders.
“It only makes my job easier, makes Bryce’s job easier, and makes the play caller’s job easier just so that they can rely on any player on the offense.”
McMillan was selected as the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft. He previously won rookie of the week honors in Week 6 after another two-touchdown game against Dallas.
Fans are able to vote for McMillan through an online link.
