Baker Mayfield is officially back under center for the Buccaneers this Sunday against the Panthers, but don’t get it twisted: his return is going to be a tough one with key pieces dropping like flies around him. Seriously, it’s like every time one guy steps up, two more hit the injury list.
Mayfield’s Return Is A Double-Edged Sword
After missing the last three games with a dislocated right thumb, Mayfield is cleared and “ready to go,” as he said Thursday and Head Coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Friday. He’s even planning to wear a glove on his right hand, probably to keep that thumb locked down. You gotta admire the grit, right? Coming back from a dislocated anything is never easy, especially for a quarterback’s throwing hand. But man, the timing couldn’t be worse for the Bucs.
The Injury Report Just Keeps Getting Uglier
While getting your starting QB back is usually cause for celebration, the rest of the injury report for Tampa Bay is a total gut punch. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, one of Mayfield’s top targets, is now doubtful to play this weekend due to a concussion. He missed the first two days of practice this week, only returning Friday, which tells you everything you need to know about how serious this is. And it doesn’t stop there. Right tackle Luke Goedeke is also out with a calf injury, even though he returned to practice. Plus, safety Antoine Winfield is missing his third straight game battling a rib injury. It’s a full-blown M*A*S*H unit out there!
So, while it’s great to have Mayfield back in the huddle, the real question is who’s even left to play alongside him this Sunday against the Panthers? This team needs to find some answers, and fast, if they want to stay competitive with so many guys on the sidelines.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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