An MRI conducted on Monday revealed no additional damage to the thumb's ligaments or tendons beyond the initial dislocation. While Mayfield required stitches to close a wound resulting from the injury, Bowles indicated that surgery is not expected to be necessary. The Buccaneers have opted against placing Mayfield on injured reserve, signaling a hope that he will return to action sooner rather than later.
Jalon Daniels to Lead Buccaneers Offense
With Mayfield unavailable, the Buccaneers are turning to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to lead the offense. Daniels, who spent six seasons at Kansas, secured the backup role during training camp after competing against Jake Browning. He is now set to become the first rookie quarterback to start an NFL game this season, a notable milestone given that none of the 10 quarterbacks selected in the most recent draft have started a game through the first three weeks.
The organization has expressed confidence in the rookie, with Bowles emphasizing that the team will support him as he steps into the starting role. Daniels, who saw limited action in four snaps during last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, will have Easton Stick serving as his backup for the upcoming home game against the Green Bay Packers. To bolster their depth, the team also added veteran Brett Rypien to the practice squad this week.
Upcoming Schedule and Team Context
The Buccaneers enter the matchup against Green Bay with an 0-3 record, looking for their first win of the season. Following the clash with the Packers, the team faces a short turnaround with a Thursday night road game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. The schedule continues with a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6, followed by a divisional road trip to face the Carolina Panthers and a home game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Daniels becomes the first rookie to start at quarterback for Tampa Bay since Jameis Winston in 2015. While the team privately holds concerns that the recovery could stretch toward the six-week mark, they remain committed to the current plan as they navigate this challenging stretch of the season without their primary signal-caller.
