Baker Mayfield’s injury status and recovery timeline revealed, and the Bucs will find out what they have in their young QB
Tampa Bay needs some magic from their rookie quarterback during Baker Mayfield’s unfortunate absence.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a very bad spot three weeks into a critical 2026 season for head coach Todd Bowles. The Bucs fell on Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings 23-16 to drop to 0-3 and last in a terrible NFC South. To add literal insult to injury, Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb late in the fourth quarter while trying to extend a drive on fourth down.
Now, the Bucs will have figure out how to get back on track without their franchise quarterback for a bit. The Bucs will be without Baker Mayfield for at least three weeks, according to Todd Bowles on Monday.
“Right now, we’re talking about a minimum of probably three weeks,” Bowles said.
However, the news wasn’t all bad, as an MRI on Mayfield’s thumb revealed no breaks, nor any ligament or tendon damage, meaning a major injury was avoided, per ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Baker Mayfield out for at least three weeks per Todd Bowles, putting UDFA rookie QB Jalon Daniels squarely in the spotlight
It’s cliche to say next man up, but it’s true. And, while Bowles said they may look to add a veteran or practice squad player, that next man up behind Mayfield is undrafted free agent rookie out of Kansas Jalon Daniels.
Daniels is someone the Bucs have liked for a while, with the team bringing him in for a visit during the pre-draft process. He went undrafted, and the Bucs signed him shortly after the draft. He outdueled veteran Jake Browning during the preseason and was clearly more effective moving the offense.
Now, Bowles and the Bucs will desperately need him to translate that mostly positive preseason play to the field in a dire spot for a Tampa Bay team in danger of slipping out of the playoff race entirely, even in a porous NFC South. We’ll find out on Sunday against Green Bay if he can do that.
