Published October 14, 2026 02:00 PM
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has missed the last two games since suffering a dislocated thumb.
When Mayfield was injured, the team didn’t place him on IR with the idea that he was only supposed to be out for a minimum of three weeks.
It’s now been two weeks since that time, and Mayfield is going to start the process of getting back on the field with a throwing session on Wednesday afternoon.
“He’s getting better,” head coach Todd Bowles told reporters in his press conference. “We’ll see how much he throws, and see how he looks.”
Bowles noted that there hasn’t been much discussion about Mayfield potentially returning a week early, as the team hasn’t even seen how well he grips and throws the ball yet.
“I don’t know where he’s at,” Bowles said, later adding, “Everything right now is speculation.”
But Mayfield is not going to return until he’s ready, with Bowles effectively ruling out the quarterback serving as an emergency backup.
“If he’s not 100 percent, he doesn’t need to play,” Bowles said.
Mayfield has completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 615 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions so far this season. He’s rushed for 65 yards with a touchdown.
Backup Jalon Daniels, who has started the last two games, has completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 337 yards with two TDs and three picks. Daniels has also rushed for 87 yards.