Baker Mayfield active for Buccaneers’ game at Carolina after thumb injury

Mayfield returns to Tampa Bay’s lineup

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is active and will start Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, the team confirmed in its Week 7 inactive report. Mayfield missed the previous three games after dislocating the thumb on his throwing hand. The Buccaneers said he practiced without limitations throughout the week and was back in the lineup for the NFC South matchup in Charlotte. ^{[1] [2]}

Mayfield entered the weekend listed as questionable, but coach Todd Bowles said after Friday’s practice that the quarterback looked ready to play. The NFL’s report of Bowles’ comments and Reuters’ coverage both said Mayfield had participated fully in all three practices. The Buccaneers said he intended to use a specialized glove on his right hand to support the injured joint and limit backward bending of the thumb. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Three-game absence followed September injury

Mayfield injured the thumb late in Tampa Bay’s Sept. 27 loss to Minnesota, when his throwing hand was struck as he released a pass, according to the Buccaneers and Reuters. He had missed games against Green Bay, Dallas and Pittsburgh. Reuters reported that Mayfield had thrown for 615 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions through his first three games before the injury. ^{[2] [3]}

Rookie Jalon Daniels started during Mayfield’s absence. The Buccaneers said Daniels won one of his three starts; Reuters reported that he completed 61.2% of his passes for 501 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions, including his Week 3 relief appearance. Tampa Bay’s announcement settles the pregame availability question, though it does not establish how much Mayfield will play or how the thumb will respond during the game. ^{[1] [3]}

Other starters remain unavailable

Mayfield’s return does not restore Tampa Bay’s full lineup. The Buccaneers listed wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, right tackle Luke Goedeke and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. among the inactives. The team said Egbuka was out with a concussion and foot injury, Goedeke with a calf injury, and Winfield with a rib fracture. The Panthers also listed outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips as inactive because of a hamstring strain, the Buccaneers reported. ^[1]