Bucs provide Baker Mayfield injury update as team set to play undrafted rookie at quarterback

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can breathe a little easier on Monday.

Baker Mayfield is only expected to miss a "minimum" of three weeks after he dislocated his right thumb in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, head coach Todd Bowles said. Mayfield was writhing in pain on the ground after suffering the injury.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield leaves the field during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

"We’ll keep him on (the active roster) right now but we’re not sure," Bowles said. "It could be, possibly, sooner. We’ll know how it goes how it’s gonna go."

Mayfield suffered the injury throwing the ball down the field as he was rolling to his right. His hand came down on Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman. The ball was intercepted and Mayfield hit the ground with the broadcast picking up his frightful screams.

An MRI didn’t reveal any ligament damage or fracture.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield holds his hand during the second half of an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Mayfield agreed to a contract extension before the start of the season. The deal is worth $165 million over three years. He hadn’t missed a game before he joined the Buccaneers following stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns.

Tampa Bay’s loss to Minnesota dropped the team to 0-3. It’s the team’s worst start since 2014.

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will likely be thrust into the starting quarterback role. He was 0-for-3 with an interception when he came in for Mayfield at the end of the game.

Daniels played his collegiate career at Kansas. Last year with the Jayhawks, he had 2,531 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns to go along with 404 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Joshua Metellus and linebacker Blake Cashman during the second half of an NFL game in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

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"He's going to be like every other rookie, but he's played well in the preseason. He's very bright," Bowles said of the rookie. "He's not going to be out there by himself. There'll be 22 other guys out there helping him out. So, you know, we just expect him to do his job and play at a high level as he expects from himself."