Overview
- Baker Mayfield returned to Buccaneers practice on Wednesday as a full participant, wore a glove on his right hand, took snaps and threw during team drills that coaches called encouraging.
- Head coach Todd Bowles said he will make the start/no-start decision on Friday after monitoring how Mayfield handles snaps and how his thumb feels after additional work.
- Coaches and medical reports say the single practical test for this week is whether Mayfield can reliably grip and throw in practice, with ball control and post-practice hand feel the key determinants.
- Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels has been preparing to start again and has produced mixed results, including a prime-time win over the Cowboys and two fourth-quarter interceptions in an overtime loss to the Steelers, leaving Tampa Bay 1-5.
- Mayfield’s three-year, $165 million extension through 2029 raises the stakes of the decision and the team is balancing immediate need for a win with evaluating Daniels’ future role while watching Thursday and Friday’s workouts closely.