Overview
- Mayfield dislocated his right (throwing) thumb late in the Week 3 loss to the Vikings on Sep. 27 and is now expected to miss at least three weeks with a possible extension to six weeks depending on grip strength.
- Team testing and an MRI found no fracture or ligament and tendon damage, surgery is not expected, and Mayfield required stitches that were scheduled for removal as part of his recovery.
- The Buccaneers have kept Mayfield on the active roster and do not plan to place him on injured reserve for now, a decision that preserves roster flexibility but creates uncertainty if the absence stretches longer.
- Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels has been named the starter with veteran Easton Stick elevated as his backup, putting a first-time starter into a 0-3 team needing immediate production.
- Mayfield’s three-year, $165 million contract and a 57-game Tampa Bay starting streak heighten the short-term stakes for the team and could shape game-plan, roster and personnel choices if the recovery runs to the longer end of the timeline.