Baker Mayfield is expected to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starting lineup Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, but the problems that plagued the offense before his injury haven't disappeared.
According to the Buccaneers' official team update, head coach Todd Bowles indicated Friday that Mayfield is ready to return after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb. The veteran quarterback participated fully in all three practices this week and has been working with a protective glove on his throwing hand. Mayfield remains officially listed as questionable.
His expected return comes at an important time for Tampa Bay, which enters Sunday's NFC South matchup at 1-5 following a 26-19 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However,
expecting Mayfield to immediately fix an offense that has struggled all season overlooks several significant issues.
The Buccaneers rank 24th in total offense, averaging 292.7 yards per game, and 25th in scoring at 19.8 points per contest. They've also struggled to protect their quarterbacks, ranking 30th in sacks allowed per pass attempt at 11.34%, according to the team's official Week 7 preview.
Those problems were evident before Mayfield suffered his injury against Minnesota in Week 3.
In his first three appearances, Mayfield completed 63.5% of his passes for 615 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, finishing with an 80.0 passer rating. He also threw 13 interceptions, averaging more than four sacks per game. Tampa Bay lost all three contests, and the offense had already struggled to sustain drives and produce consistently.
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels stepped into a difficult situation and helped the Buccaneers earn their first victory against Dallas. Daniels has completed 61.2% of his passes for 501 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions across four appearances, including his relief appearance against Minnesota.
The difference between Tampa Bay's last two games illustrates how much the supporting cast matters. Against Dallas, the Buccaneers rushed for 241 yards and allowed just one sack in a 24-16 victory. A week later against Pittsburgh, Bucky Irving managed only 46 yards on 19 carries while Daniels was sacked five times in an overtime loss.
Mayfield brings experience Daniels hasn't had a chance to develop. His ability to identify pressure, adjust protections, and make pre-snap decisions should help offensive coordinator Zac Robinson run a more complete offense. However, those advantages won't matter nearly as much if Tampa Bay continues allowing defenders into the backfield.
Mayfield also won't have all of his offensive starters available. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been ruled out with concussion and foot injuries, while starting right tackle Luke Goedeke will miss Sunday's game with a calf injury. Egbuka leads the Buccaneers with 28 receptions for 240 yards, and his absence removes one of the team's most frequently targeted receivers.
Goedeke's absence is particularly concerning with Mayfield returning from an injury to his throwing hand. The Buccaneers cannot afford to put their quarterback in situations where he's repeatedly forced to escape pressure or absorb unnecessary hits.
Fortunately, Carolina's defense offers Tampa Bay opportunities to improve. The Panthers rank 25th in total defense, allowing 354.2 yards per game, and 27th against the run, allowing 132.2 yards per game. Carolina will also be without outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Thomas Incoom, who were ruled out Friday.
That should put additional emphasis on Irving and Tampa Bay's running game. The Buccaneers rank eighth in rushing offense at 127.8 yards per game, and Irving has accumulated 452 rushing yards through six games. Establishing the run could help limit obvious passing situations while giving Mayfield opportunities to work off play-action.
Robinson also needs to make adjustments; Mayfield's return should give the offensive coordinator more flexibility, but Tampa Bay still needs to create favorable matchups, protect its quarterback, and get the ball to its playmakers.
The Buccaneers rank 28th in red-zone touchdown percentage at 47.4%, another area where better execution and play-calling could make a significant difference. Moving the football means little if promising drives consistently end without touchdowns.
Tampa Bay's defense has done enough to keep the team competitive in several games this season. The offense needs to provide more support, particularly when the Buccaneers have opportunities to protect leads and control the clock.
Mayfield's expected return gives Tampa Bay a better chance to compete with the division-leading Panthers, but the Buccaneers struggled offensively before he went down. Those issues will take more than a quarterback change to fix.
Sunday will be an important test for Mayfield, Robinson, and an offense that needs to improve meaningfully before Tampa Bay falls any further behind in the NFC South.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield returns to a major challenge for Buccaneers
