Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scrambles with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is finally returning from injury for the Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. While he was given the green light to play again, Mayfield's thumb injury is not yet fully healed. However, to help with that issue, the Tampa Bay Rays managed to step in and help out.
Reports indicate that the Rays put together a protective glove for the 31-year-old to wear on his right hand, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The glove comes with extra padding around the thumb to provide extra protection for Mayfield.
Here is the glove #Bucs QB Baker Mayfield will wear to protect his dislocated thumb, with thanks to the @RaysBaseball training staff. pic.twitter.com/nUtenahRUy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 25, 2026
Nick Bond, a home clubhouse attendant for the Rays, created the unique glove for the nine-year veteran quarterback, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Bond used a wide receiver glove and made adjustments to the thumb. Stroud claims that there are two versions of the glove.
“An assist by Rays Baseball and home clubhouse attendant Nick Bond, who took a receiver's glove and ripped off the thumb while inserting a support,” Stroud reported. “They made two versions: one with hard plastic and another as a soft cast.”
This will be Baker Mayfield's first game back since suffering the injury in the Buccaneers' 23-16 Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He dislocated the thumb on his throwing hand while attempting to throw the ball, but his hand connected with Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman's helmet in the fourth quarter.
The two-time Pro Bowler enters Sunday's contest with the club 1-5 on the campaign. He'll aim to build upon his 615 yards, two touchdowns, and 63.5% completion percentage against the Panthers in Carolina.