When the Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million extension, an 0-3 start was the last thing Tampa Bay expected heading into the season. And now, the Buccaneers are prepared to be without Mayfield for the next month.
Late in Tampa Bay’s 23-16 Week 3 loss to the Vikings on Sunday, Mayfield left the game in significant pain after he injured his right thumb (his throwing hand) on a fourth-down interception. The Buccaneers revealed after the game that Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb, but further testing would be needed to determine the timeline of his return to action.
On Monday, head coach Todd Bowles gave reporters that update, and it probably wasn’t the news the Bucs had hoped for. Mayfield will be out at least three weeks.
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said QB Baker Mayfield will miss three weeks due to his thumb injury. pic.twitter.com/7KNayRlvzJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2026
The silver lining was that it could have been worse. Mayfield’s MRI revealed no ligament damage or fractures. But for the next three weeks, the Bucs will rely on Jalon Daniels — an undrafted rookie from Kansas.
Daniels did impress in the preseason, jumping up the depth chart from QB4 to Mayfield’s backup. But the next three weeks will certainly be a test for the rookie quarterback.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Buccaneers revealed Baker Mayfield’s return timeline after QB’s thumb injury
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