Packers get major break ahead of Week 4 after latest Baker Mayfield development changes the Buccaneers’ outlook
Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb. He’ll go through tests, but is expected to miss some time for Tampa Bay.
The Green Bay Packers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday in Week 4, and a significant injury update to quarterback Baker Mayfield could change the complexion of the matchup. Mayfield left Tampa Bay’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings late in the fourth quarter with a thumb injury, and Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed after the game that Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb.
Bowles confirmed that the quarterback will undergo an MRI to determine the full extent of the injury. It’s likely that Mayfield won’t be able to play against the Packers next Sunday, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Mayfield is expected to miss some time.
Mayfield’s rough day against the Vikings
Before leaving the game, Mayfield was not playing well against Minnesota. He completed 17 of 34 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a 67.9 passer rating. The Vikings won the game 23-16.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels entered the game for the final drive, trying to tie the game in desperation mode. Daniels didn’t complete a single pass in his three attempts and threw an interception on a late Hail Mary. He finished with a 0.0 passer rating, though it’s unfair to judge him based on that situation.
The Buccaneers have only two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, Mayfield and Daniels. If Mayfield is set to miss time, Tampa Bay also has Easton Stick, a former fifth-round pick, on the practice squad. Stick would probably be promoted to the active roster or at least elevated for gameday to serve as the backup against Green Bay.
Daniels, though, had a solid preseason for the Buccaneers. He completed 61.4% of his passes with an 83.4 passer rating. His PFF grade was 56.5 with one big-time throw and no turnover-worthy plays. That’s a reasonable foundation for a young quarterback, even if starting against the Packers in Week 4 would be a massive step up in competition.
Two backup quarterbacks in two weeks?
The Packers will have to monitor this situation closely because it creates an unusual opportunity. Green Bay might face two backup quarterbacks in consecutive weeks. Beyond the Buccaneers’ situation, the Packers also face the Chicago Bears in Week 5, and Caleb Williams is recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring injury.
Facing Tampa Bay without Baker Mayfield and then Chicago without Caleb Williams would give the Packers’ defense favorable matchups during a critical stretch of the season. That’s a genuine opportunity for Green Bay to build momentum heading into the middle portion of the schedule, after a rough first few weeks.
