OCTOBER 3: In typical fashion, Mayfield wants speed up his return process and is even “pushing to come back” as early as Week 5, per Bleacher Report James Palmer. Tampa Bay’s short week before a Thursday night matchup with the Cowboys will make that difficult, but the veteran quarterback has been willing to play through the pain before.
SEPTEMBER 28: Monday brought about further news with respect to Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. Testing has yielded positive results, although missed time is still in store.
Mayfield dislocated his thumb late in Sunday’s loss. An MRI revealed no fractures or ligament damage, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He adds a second opinion is being sought out in this case. While that plays out, a short-term absence is set to take place. Head coach Todd Bowles said (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times) Mayfield will miss at least the next three games.
A move to injured reserve is not expected, Bowles added (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine). Surgery should not wind up being necessary. Mayfield is set to remain on Tampa Bay’s active roster for now, although the timing of his recovery could result in those plans being changed.
The Bucs have six games remaining until their bye week. At least a portion of that stretch will take place without their starting quarterback in the fold. Mayfield had managed to play all 17 games during the regular season (and three in the playoffs) during his first three Tampa Bay campaigns. That durability helped his position during contract talks, although health was a source of hesitation on the team’s part regarding a long-term financial commitment.
It appeared as though Mayfield would play out the 2026 campaign as a pending free agent. Instead, a late extension agreement wound up being reached. Tampa Bay authorized a three-year, $165MM deal featuring $70MM fully guaranteed. That pact ensured the mutual goal of keeping the former No. 1 pick in the fold for years to come was reached, but things have not gone according to plan early in the year. Tampa Bay sits at 0-3, and the play of Mayfield and the offense has left plenty to be desired.
Now, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is set to take on starting duties for a notable stretch. Daniels won a competition for the backup gig over veteran Jake Browning, and barring an addition that will set him up for a period atop the depth chart. Tampa Bay’s next three games will be against the Packers, Cowboys and Steelers.
The outcome of those contests will go a long way in determining the Bucs’ chances of rebounding from their poor start and reaching the playoffs. Another factor on that front will of course be Mayfield’s level of play upon returning to action. It remains to be seen when exactly that will be the case, but a multi-game absence is in store.
