Overview
- Late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings, Baker Mayfield dislocated the right thumb on his throwing hand when his hand struck Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, and X-rays showed no fracture while an MRI was scheduled for Monday to check for ligament or hairline damage.
- Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the dislocation after the game and said the MRI is needed to assess internal damage and set a recovery timetable.
- Early reports from NFL Network and team sources say Mayfield is likely to miss time, which would make undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels the only active quarterback on the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster and the expected starter if Mayfield cannot play.
- The injury deepens pressure on a team that has started 0-3 and arrives weeks after Mayfield signed a three-year, $165 million extension, prompting urgent discussion of short-term roster moves and trade or waiver targets.
- The MRI result is the key next development and will directly shape Tampa Bay’s Week 4 game plan against Green Bay and any emergency moves the front office makes for quarterback depth.