Baker Mayfield is back in action in Week 7, in part thanks to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers called in a favor from their city's MLB counterpart to construct a custom glove for their quarterback ahead of his return. As he comes off of a dislocated right (throwing) thumb injury, Mayfield is wearing the protective glove on his right hand in his Week 7 start.
"(It's) not restricting because it's on the back side. The trainers and equipment staff did an incredible job. I mean, they even went to somebody that works with the Rays to be able to work on something specific that they've done in the past," Mayfield said.
"For me, just getting used to it. I don't feel the difference. It's just like me wearing a glove."
about Baker Mayfield's thumb injury
According to Fox Sports' Greg Auman, the Buccaneers originally reached out to Nike for help making a custom glove for Mayfield. The athletic apparel company didn't have a "thumb-specific" protective glove, so Tampa Bay reached out to the Rays.
The Rays, who were preparing for the start of the World Series earlier this weekend, "sent an equipment staffer over to Bucs facility, met with Mayfield, (and) helped (the Buccaneers) make a custom glove."
Prior to the meeting with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 25, Mayfield had missed three straight games – and nine straight practices – with his thumb injury he suffered in Week 3. The quarterback returned to practice on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and was listed as a full participant in practice on the Bucs' injury report every day this week.
Through two and a half quarters, Mayfield is 7-for-11 for 64 yards and a touchdown throw.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How the Tampa Bay Rays helped Baker Mayfield return to NFL during World Series
