The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the top teams in the NFC with star quarterback Baker Mayfield leading the way, but on Sunday, the quarterback injured his left shoulder on the last play of the first half.
Mayfield injured his shoulder earlier in the game, and on the last play of the first half, he was in pain after throwing a hail mary.
If Mayfield misses time, this is a critical loss for a Tampa Bay team with Super Bowl aspirations. Here's the latest on Mayfield's status for tonight's game and in the future.
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Baker Mayfield injury updates
Mayfield is doubtful to return for tonight's contest vs. the Rams with a left shoulder injury.
Baker Mayfield is Doubtful to return to today's game (left shoulder). pic.twitter.com/CeUT4Fz45q
— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) November 24, 2025
Teddy Bridgewater will take Mayfield's place. The quarterback completed 9-of-19 passes for 41 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions in the first half.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as soon as they become available.
What happened to Baker Mayfield?
Mayfield went down grasping his shoulder/arm area as time expired in the first half.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is in serious discomfort at the end of the first half.
It's his arm/shoulder. Looks painful. pic.twitter.com/wUhazQ1nuC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 24, 2025
The quarterback looked to be in pain earlier in the game. After throwing a touchdown pass to Tez Johnson, the quarterback went to the blue medical tent with his arm being the point of concern.
Baker Mayfield had to go to the medical tent after throwing this touchdown:pic.twitter.com/Uwh3jfqZU3
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) November 24, 2025
Earlier in the drive, Mayfield took contact from a few Rams defenders.
Baker Mayfield -
Left arm is hanging but not seeing a ton at the left arm/shoulder.
Curious if he reinjured his oblique or lat as he got bent and twisted back.
Currently in the medical tent pic.twitter.com/90nd6bp2lz
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 24, 2025
The quarterback has dealt with shoulder injuries in the past.
Baker Mayfield shoulder injury history
Mayfield’s most consequential injury occurred early in the 2021 season while he was quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In Week 2, during a game against the Houston Texans, Mayfield threw an interception and subsequently injured his left shoulder while attempting to make the tackle on the returner, Texans safety Justin Reid. The initial injury was a dislocation, but it was later diagnosed as a partially torn labrum.
Despite the significant nature of the injury, Mayfield, known for his competitive toughness, insisted on playing through the pain for the remainder of the season. He began wearing a shoulder harness for protection, which was intended to stabilize the joint and prevent further damage, but the injury clearly began to affect his mechanics and effectiveness, leading to a noticeable drop in his statistical performance throughout the year.
The situation dramatically worsened in Week 6 of that same season during a game against the Arizona Cardinals. Mayfield suffered a strip-sack from J.J. Watt, landing awkwardly and severely aggravating the existing injury. This hit not only caused the shoulder to dislocate again, but scans revealed the damage was far more extensive, involving a complete labrum tear and, critically, a fracture in his humerus bone (the upper arm bone that fits into the shoulder socket). He continued to play until the team was eliminated from playoff contention, at which point the Browns ruled him out for the season finale so he could undergo surgery.
In January 2022, Mayfield successfully underwent surgery to repair the torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, which carried an expected recovery timeline of four to six months.
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