The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still waiting for a clearer picture of Baker Mayfield’s injured throwing hand, but the early outlook is concerning.
Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb late in Tampa Bay’s 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Head coach Todd Bowles said after the game that Mayfield would undergo an MRI on Monday, while X-rays did not show a fracture.
The injury happened with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth-and-13 with Tampa Bay trailing 20-16, Mayfield tried to escape pressure before throwing an interception to Andrew Van Ginkel. He stayed down after the play, eventually walked off with members of the training staff, and headed to the locker room. The official gamebook lists Mayfield as 17-of-34
for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving.
Now the biggest question is how much time Mayfield could miss.
Greg Auman noted Monday morning that the exact severity of the injury is still unknown, but the Bucs’ upcoming schedule could make a quick return difficult. Tampa Bay hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 4, before traveling to face the Dallas Cowboys just four days later on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Auman wrote:
“We don't know the severity of Mayfield's thumb injury, but with them playing on a Thursday at the Cowboys after this week's home Sunday game vs. Packers, it's hard to imagine him playing in either game. Throwing thumb is a bad injury for any QB, impacting grip and accuracy.”
That part is still an evaluation, not a confirmed timetable from the Buccaneers. The MRI should give Tampa Bay a better idea of how much damage was done and whether Mayfield has any realistic chance to return quickly.
If Mayfield cannot play, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels would be the next man up. Daniels finished Sunday’s game after Mayfield went to the locker room, completing none of his three pass attempts while also scrambling for nine yards. His final throw was intercepted on a desperation attempt near the end zone as time expired.
Tampa Bay’s schedule makes the situation even more difficult. The Bucs have only six days between the Vikings loss and the Packers game, followed by an even shorter turnaround before Thursday night in Dallas.
For now, the biggest thing is waiting on the MRI. What we know is that Mayfield has a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand; there is no fracture, according to Bowles, and his availability for the next two games remains uncertain.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield injury update: What we know so far
