NFL

Baker Mayfield sidelined for at least three weeks with thumb injury

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 28, 2026, 22:55 IST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will miss at least three weeks after suffering a dislocated throwing thumb. Rookie Jalon Daniels is set to take over starting duties for the team.

Baker Mayfield sidelined for at least three weeks with thumb injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is set to be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks following a thumb injury sustained during Sunday's contest. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the timeline on Monday, providing clarity on the status of the team's starting signal-caller.

The injury occurred to Mayfield's throwing hand during the closing stages of the game. Despite the setback, medical evaluations provided some positive news, as an MRI revealed no significant ligament or tendon damage. While the injury is confirmed as a dislocation, the absence of further structural issues is a relief for the organization, though the veteran must still regain the ability to grip the football effectively before returning to action.

Injury impact and replacement plans

The incident took place with just 1:54 remaining on the clock as the Buccaneers attempted to overcome a 20-16 deficit against the Minnesota Vikings. Facing a fourth-and-13 situation, Mayfield was forced to scramble toward the right sideline under heavy pressure. As he attempted to release the ball, he was struck by Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, resulting in the injury just before the pass was intercepted by Andrew Van Ginkel.

With Mayfield unavailable for the immediate future, the Buccaneers have turned to rookie Jalon Daniels to step into the starting role. This transition marks a significant shift for the team, as Mayfield has been a constant presence under center since his arrival in Tampa Bay. Having logged 54 regular-season starts, he has maintained a streak of availability that persisted even through a physically demanding campaign last year, during which he appeared on the injury report for 10 of the 17 weeks.