Baker Mayfield will miss his fourth consecutive game as the Buccaneers prepare for the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, with his throwing thumb injury still not fully healed. Coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday’s practice will be crucial for determining whether Mayfield can return, but the team is preparing around backup Jalon Daniels as the likely starter.
Tampa Bay enters the week at 1-5, while Carolina sits atop the NFC South at 3-2. Despite the uncertainty around Mayfield, Bowles confirmed the team is preparing its game plan as though Jalon Daniels will be under center again, a sign that the staff is not counting on Mayfield’s hand improving enough to retake the field this week.
What The Team Said About Mayfield’s Status
Bowles said Wednesday’s practice will determine whether Mayfield’s thumb has healed enough for him to grip the ball and play. The coach did not formally place Mayfield on any injury list but confirmed the team is planning as if Daniels will start, according to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. Mayfield has not played since Week 3 against Minnesota.s practice as the point where the Buccaneers will know more about how the thumb has responded and whether Mayfield can grip the ball well enough to play. No designation beyond that uncertainty has been given, and the Sporting News report described his outlook as shaky entering the week.
The injury has kept Mayfield out since Week 3, meaning he will have missed at least four games if he sits again against Carolina.
Who Replaces Mayfield If He Sits
Jalon Daniels remains the contingency plan and the quarterback the Buccaneers are preparing around this week. Bowles’ comments make clear that the coaching staff is building its Week 7 strategy with Daniels as the probable starter rather than waiting on Mayfield’s evaluation to finalize game plans.
Daniels threw for two touchdowns in Sunday’s 26-19 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a 2-yard pass to Emeka Egbuka.
Season Numbers As The Fill-In Starter
Daniels is 1-2 in his three starts this season, throwing for 501 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also contributed 126 rushing yards without a touchdown on the ground. The interception total stands out as the figure most likely to concern the coaching staff given Tampa Bay’s 1-5 record, though Bowles’ decision to prepare around Daniels for Week 7 suggests the team sees no better immediate alternative with Mayfield’s grip still in question.
Daniels’ first start of the season came against Green Bay, covered in Total Apex Sports’ preview of his bold debut at 0-3.
What’s Next For The Buccaneers
The Buccaneers face the NFC South-leading Panthers on Sunday in Carolina. Mayfield’s status will be clarified after Wednesday’s practice, with an official designation likely to follow.
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