Overview
- Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Baker Mayfield “looks ready to go” and is expected to be Tampa Bay’s starter Sunday at Carolina after practicing fully all week.
- Mayfield has been throwing with a custom glove that includes a rigid plate behind the thumb to prevent backward bending and to shield the joint during impact.
- The quarterback dislocated his right thumb in Week 3 and missed three games while undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels started in his place, completing 60 of 95 passes for 501 yards and a 3–4 TD–INT ratio in those starts.
- The Buccaneers’ final injury report ruled out wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, right tackle Luke Goedeke and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., which will alter receiving targets and pass protection if Mayfield plays.
- Tampa Bay enters the game 1-5 against a 3-2 division rival and needs a victory to keep realistic playoff and division hopes alive, with this matchup likely to affect the team’s short-term standing and trade‑deadline posture.