Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) leaves the field after defeating the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield Suffers Injury in Week 3 vs. Minnesota Vikings 1
September 27, 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFC South, NFL
To say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season is not going according to plan would be a massive understatement. Following their 23-16 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the team fell to 0-3 on the year. To add insult to injury, one of the most significant players on the roster suffered an injury and could miss time as a result. Let’s take a closer look at who got hurt and what it means for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers going forward.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers announce Baker Mayfield’s injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield, NFLTampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield, NFL
Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are likely going to be without their franchise quarterback for some time. Following their Week 3 loss, coach Todd Bowles announced that quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand and will likely miss time.
Bowles said the X-rays did not show a fracture and he will undergo an MRI on Monday to identify the severity of the injury. The injury took place with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter when he was scrambling and was intercepted by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Mayfield has not done well to begin the season after signing a massive three-year extension. He has completed 61 of 96 (63.5%) of his passes for 615 yards with two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. However, he has been sacked 13 times through the first three games of the year.
While we do not know how long Mayfield will be sidelined, below are the games on the schedule for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their bye in Week 10:
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday Night Football)
Week 6: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 7: at Carolina Panthers
Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 9: at Chicago Bears
For the time being, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to start rookie Jalon Daniels as quarterback. It will be interesting to see how long Baker Mayfield will be sidelined and what the team can do in those games.
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