Baker Mayfield, who has been off the field for three games nursing a dislocated right thumb, was back in action at practice on Wednesday. But don’t fire up the game day chili just yet, because his return for Sunday’s matchup against the Panthers is far from guaranteed.
The Gloved QB Report
Mayfield was out there, splitting reps with Jalon Daniels, which right away tells you things aren’t totally clear. What really caught eyes? He was rocking a glove on his right hand through the whole session. Coach Todd Bowles, ever the realist, gave us the update, saying Mayfield is “coming along fine.” He even noted that once Baker got warmed up, “it started looking pretty good as practice went on.” So, a cautious optimism maybe? Bowles also said Baker felt good throwing with the glove, mentioning he’s actually used one before. That’s a tiny bit of good news, right?
Friday’s Looming Call
So, when do we get the definitive word? Bowles pinned it down: Friday. He’s going to “see what he looks like Friday and I’ll find out then.” This ain’t just another bump and bruise for Baker, either. Bowles pointed out that this thumb injury is different from others Mayfield has played through. Why? Because you can really “gauge it off of how he throws, and how he feels, and how he takes snaps under center.” It’s not just about pain tolerance; it’s about actual function. That means every snap, every throw, every huddle from here to Friday is under the microscope.
The clock is ticking for Coach Bowles and the team. By Friday, we’ll know if Mayfield is cleared to go against the Panthers on Sunday, or if they’ll need to roll with Daniels again. This decision isn’t just about one game; it’s about the entire rhythm of the offense moving forward. All eyes are on that Friday announcement.
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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