Baker Mayfield injury updates: Buccaneers QB set for MRI after shoulder injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hurt his non-throwing shoulder on a hit in the first half during Sunday night’s 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, then re-aggravated the illness on a Hail Mary attempt in the second quarter. Mayfield did not play the rest of the game and spent the second half on the ropes as Tampa Bay lost for the third straight time.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield will be re-evaluated Monday and the results of an MRI should reveal the extent of the injury. The Buccaneers (6-5) started the season 6-2 overall, but a rough patch in recent weeks has squandered their lead in the NFC South.
Now tied with the Carolina Panthers at the top of the division The Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed in the NFC With six games to play. Tampa Bay is seeking its sixth straight crown, but Mayfield’s availability is crucial to reaching the postseason.
Mayfield threw a touchdown pass and two interceptions in the first half of Sunday’s loss at Los Angeles before exiting the game. He was a league MVP candidate through the first six games before the schedule tightened.
The Buccaneers host the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons over the next three weeks as they turn to Teddy Bridgewater if Mayfield is sidelined. Mayfield has struggled with pain in his non-throwing shoulder before in his career after tearing his labrum during the 2021 season.
A shoulder sprain usually takes a few weeks to heal, but quarterbacks are back in no time with rest as well.
“You never want to see people injured, especially your leader,” Bridgewater said. “But Baker is a tough guy, man. He tried to get back out there and take on the guys. That says a lot about him.”
Now in his third seasons with the Buccaneers, Mayfield has played in 45 straight games and hasn’t missed a game since 2022 when a sprained ankle with the Panthers caused him to miss time.
Mayfield has thrown for 2,406 yards and 18 touchdowns this season with a 60.8 QBR, the second-highest rating of his career.