The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be without quarterback Baker Mayfield longer than initially anticipated.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Mayfield is expected to miss somewhere between three and six weeks with the dislocated right thumb he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings, with his return ultimately hinging on when he can comfortably grip a football again.
The good news for Mayfield and the Buccaneers is that an MRI revealed no fracture and no damage to the ligaments or tendons in his throwing
hand. Tampa Bay has also avoided placing Mayfield on injured reserve for now, leaving the door open for him to return toward the shorter end of the recovery timetable.
Head coach Todd Bowles originally said Mayfield would miss a minimum of three weeks following the injury. That would keep him sidelined against the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers before potentially returning against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
However, Mayfield’s ability to regain his grip strength will ultimately dictate when he gets back on the field. Tampa Bay will not want to rush its starting quarterback back before he can properly control the football and make throws with his usual accuracy and velocity.
In the meantime, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will take over under center, beginning with Sunday’s home matchup against Green Bay.
