Clarity beginning to emerge on Baker Mayfield’s status for Bucs’ clash with Steelers
It’s not looking promising for the Bucs’ franchise QB to suit up against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a crucial matchup on Sunday as they continue to try to dig themselves out of the hole of an 0-4 start to the season. The Bucs face off against their third AFC North opponent in the season’s first six games, hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.
Naturally, the million dollar question this week has centered on the health of starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and whether he will be able to suit up this week after a two-game absence.
Todd Bowles addressed his status on Wednesday during his pre-practice press conference.
“Nothing’s changed. He’s getting better. We’ll see how much he throws and see how he looks.
“I can’t answer that (if he’s in play for this week) until he throws the ball.”
That said, Mayfield did not practice on Wednesday. And according to Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud, it doesn’t appear as though he is practicing on Thursday either, as he was spotted on the field in a t-shirt, shorts, and hat.
Baker Mayfield not practicing for second straight day ahead of Bucs’ matchup with Steelers
As such, it appears unlikely at this point that he’ll suit up on Sunday afternoon against Pittsburgh. That’s not too much of a surprise, as three weeks was the minimum time frame for a potential return, per Bowles after the loss to Minnesota, with that window potentially stretching up to six weeks, per NFL insider Adam Schefter last week.
Undrafted free agent rookie Jalon Daniels is now poised to draw his third straight start. In three games this year with two starts, Daniels has completed 69.1% of his throws for 337 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions and added 87 rushing yards.
We’ll find out for sure one way or another about Mayfield’s status on Friday, when the final injury report is released. The Bucs and Steelers will get underway at 1:00 pm ET on Sunday.
UPDATE (1:25 pm ET): Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spoke to the media after practice, and he said that Mayfield is “just not quite ready” to go this week, so he will be out.
