News Article
Published
Oct 23, 2026 at 02:43 PM EDT
An MLB team helped get the 1-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback ready to play again.
Baker Mayfield, who's been out since dislocating his right thumb, will wear a glove with a rigid plate fitted across the back when he’s expected to start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The plate keeps the joint from folding backward.
Nick Bond, home clubhouse attendant for the Tampa Bay Rays, designed it by stripping the thumb off a receiver’s glove and building in a support. Rays home clubhouse/equipment manager Tyler Wall described the teamwork.
“I said our guy can do anything. They worked together and kind of Frankensteined a glove together working with their trainers, Baker and Nick Bond,” Wall said.
Bond produced two versions -- one in hard plastic and a second softer, cast-style model. The Rays took on the side project in Milwaukee, with a World Series against the Brewers on deck.
Mayfield said the plate is “not restricting because it’s on the backside.”
“For me, just getting used to it. I don’t feel the difference. It’s just like me wearing a glove,” he added.
He hasn’t played since Sept. 27, when linebacker Blake Cashman drilled him on a fourth-and-13 scramble late in a 23-16 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings. Andrew Van Ginkel intercepted the pass.
Jalon Daniels, a rookie who signed as a free agent, went 1-2 in three starts. His only win came in prime time against the Dallas Cowboys.
That last start stung. Daniels threw two fourth-quarter interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay let a 16-3 advantage slip away in a 26-19 overtime loss.
Center Graham Barton praised how the rookie handled protection and run checks on the road before getting to the point. “Having Baker back is obviously a great addition,” Barton said.
Coach Todd Bowles planned to name his starter on Oct. 23. Mayfield sounded ready: “I feel good. Just improving.”
Tampa Bay visits the Panthers in Week 7, then hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 1. Back-to-back division games give a 1-5 team a real path into the NFC South race.