Bucs QB Baker Mayfield’s Injury Recovery Timeline Revealed

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without their starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, in Week 4 and could be without him for several more weeks.

Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb in his team’s 23-16 Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and then remained on the ground for several moments, screaming in pain. He exited the game, with rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels playing briefly before the game ended.

On Sunday, just hours ahead of Tampa Bay’s game against the Green Bay Packers, a new update arrived with more details on Mayfield’s potential return. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that Mayfield could be sidelined “anywhere from three to six weeks.”

His return will be determined by “how quickly he is able to grip the football,” Schefter also reported.

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Mayfield’s injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to Minnesota. After Mayfield scrambled and tried to pass to a teammate, his right throwing hand hit linebacker Blake Cashman’s arm and helmet.

Before getting hurt against Minnesota, Mayfield completed 17 of 34 passes for 217 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He was also sacked six times, another example of what has been a rough start to the Buccaneers’ season.

Last month, Mayfield signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Buccaneers, and now he may be out for a significant stretch as he recovers. In his absence, Tampa Bay will turn to an inexperienced rookie quarterback.

In Daniels’ brief appearance to replace Mayfield against the Vikings, he attempted three passes but completed none. The undrafted rookie quarterback out of Kansas will now make his first start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Tampa Bay is 0-3 heading into today’s matchup against Green Bay, who are 1-2 and coming off a loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Buccaneers host the Packers at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 4, before a quick turnaround to play the Cowboys in Dallas on Thursday, Oct. 8. Based on the circumstances and how Daniels performs, things could go from bad to worse for a Tampa Bay team with no wins yet.

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