Baker Mayfield will start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, ending a three-week absence caused by a dislocated thumb. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Friday that Mayfield is “ready to go” after being a full participant in practice, though he remains officially listed as questionable on the injury report.
Mayfield’s last game was a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on September 27, when the injury occurred. The initial recovery timeline was three weeks at best, making his return this weekend the earliest possible. His comeback comes as Tampa Bay faces mounting challenges with key players sidelined.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will miss the game after entering concussion protocol this week. The Buccaneers ruled him out on Friday, with Bowles saying Egbuka “gotta have a heck of a recovery” but adding, “we’ll see, but right now I’m gonna say he’s out too.” The official status remains doubtful. Egbuka did not leave last week’s overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers due to injury but reported symptoms surfaced only after returning to the team’s facility.
The exact moment when Egbuka suffered the concussion remains uncertain. Bowles said the team reviewed the tape but “couldn’t figure out which play” caused the injury. One possible incident was a late hit in the fourth quarter by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, when Queen’s shoulder collided with Egbuka’s helmet on an incomplete pass. Bowles noted there were “several plays that it could have happened or not happened on.”
Egbuka, a second-year pro, leads the Buccaneers with 28 receptions and 240 receiving yards this season. He also has two touchdown catches, the most on the team. In addition to the concussion, Egbuka is dealing with a foot issue, compounding the Buccaneers’ offensive difficulties.
Tampa Bay will also be without right tackle Luke Goedeke, who suffered a calf injury last week. His absence adds to the challenges Mayfield faces in Sunday’s matchup.
In Mayfield’s absence, the Buccaneers relied on undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels at quarterback. Daniels started three games, going 1-2, including a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. However, Daniels struggled with turnovers, throwing five interceptions and only three touchdowns in four appearances. Two of those picks came in last week’s loss to the Steelers, including two interceptions in the fourth quarter as Tampa Bay blew a 13-point lead.
Mayfield’s return is expected to provide a boost for a Buccaneers team still seeking its first win of the season. With Egbuka and Goedeke sidelined, the quarterback will have to adjust without two important teammates as Tampa Bay tries to avoid a 1-6 start.
The Buccaneers face the Panthers at Carolina on Sunday, with Mayfield set to lead the offense once again.
According to Yahoo Sports.