The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 without Baker Mayfield, but it may be the last time they have to do so.
According to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback is aiming for a return to the lineup in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers. That would be in time for the Buccaneers' first NFC South game of the season.
"Bucs QB Baker Mayfield will miss a third consecutive game since dislocating his thumb in Week 3," said Pelissero. "But there’s optimism he’ll return next week — just in time for Tampa Bay’s first division game of the season at Carolina."
Mayfield suffered the thumb injury at the end of the Buccaneers' Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Tampa Bay has played the past two weeks without Mayfield, starting undrafted rookie free agent quarterback Jalon Daniels. The Buccaneers are 1-1 with Daniels as their starting quarterback, having won their most recent game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Daniels has looked solid, with two touchdowns and three interceptions and a 69.1% completion rate. He's also contributed 87 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Regardless, the Buccaneers will go with Mayfield when he's healthy. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback signed a deal worth $55 million annually across three years for a total of $165 million. Prior to his injury, Mayfield had thrown two touchdowns against two interceptions for an 80.0 passer rating with a 63.5% completion rate.
The Buccaneers are 1-4 right now, but it's worth noting that the Panthers lead the division at just a 2-2 record. In other words, if Mayfield can return next week in a game against his former team -- he loves revenge games -- the Buccaneers still have plenty of time to improve and win this division.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield's potential return game for Buccaneers revealed