This just dropped from head coach Todd Bowles: Baker Mayfield is officially sidelined for a minimum of three weeks after suffering a dislocated thumb in Sunday’s brutal loss to the Vikings. This is not what you want to hear, especially early in the season!
Mayfield Out, But No Fracture or IR… For Now
So, the big news is the thumb. It’s a dislocation, plain and simple, and Bowles confirmed it, saying, “It’s consistent with everything we thought it was , a dislocation.” Good news, though? Further tests didn’t show any fracture or ligament damage. That’s a tiny silver lining in a cloudy situation. Right now, the Buccaneers aren’t planning on placing Mayfield on injured reserve, which would mean he’d be out for at least four games. But let’s be real, that could change faster than a dropped pass. You never know with these things. Three weeks minimum is already a huge hit, but four-plus would be a season-changer.
Rookie Jalon Daniels Steps Up: Can He Handle It?
With Mayfield out, get ready for rookie Jalon Daniels to take the reins. Yeah, an undrafted rookie. That’s a tough spot to be in! Coach Bowles tried to sound confident, saying Daniels “played well in the preseason” and that he’s “very bright.” He also threw in the classic coach-speak: “He’s not going to be out there by himself , there will be 22 other guys out there helping him out.” It’s true, football is a team sport, but when your starting QB goes down and a rookie steps in, the pressure is squarely on that young guy to “do his job, play at a high level, as he expects from himself.” We’ll see how that plays out.
The Bucs are clearly feeling the heat, too. Bowles also let slip that they’ll “likely add either a veteran or a practice” squad player. So, they’re already looking for backup to the backup, which tells you everything you need to know about the confidence level with just one rookie. It’s going to be a wild ride for the Buccaneers these next few weeks. Daniels is up, and everyone’s watching to see if he can keep their season afloat.
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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