Coming off a much needed 20-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Bucs fans awaited news regarding QB Baker Mayfield’s right thumb heading into Week 11.
Midway through the 4th quarter on Sunday, Mayfield hit the thumb on his throwing hand on a helmet and was in visible pain on the sidelines to close out the game. Luckily, Tampa’s training staff announced that there was no major injury and that the 28 year old would be available to play against the San Francisco 49ers.
At this point, it will be a pain tolerance issue as to whether or not Mayfield is under centre this weekend. But given his extensive history of playing through pain throughout his years in Cleveland, the former Oklahoma Sooner isn’t considered to be in doubt for Week 11.
After splitting time between Carolina and Los Angeles last season, Mayfield appears to have a home in Tampa Bay as his 4-5 Bucs sit a half game back of the Saints for top spot in the wide open NFC South.
“It was a great fit for us,” Head Coach Todd Bowles said of Mayfield. “Him coming here, understanding the offense and doing what he’s doing right now, we never imagined — we thought about it, we thought we could see it — but it’s coming true, and it’s coming to fruition. I’m glad he’s happy here because we’re happy with him, and I think it’s a great marriage.”
Through 9 games in 2023, the former Heisman winner has thrown for 2,143 yards, and 14 TDs against only 5 INTs. He’s also added 134 yards on the ground on 38 rushes, good for 3.5 yards per attempt. More importantly though, he’s added stability to the QB room for a franchise that was moving on from future 1st ballot hall of famer Tom Brady, and had no heir apparent in house.
Mayfield and the Bucs will travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers in a 4:05pm ET showdown this Sunday.
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.