Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is not ruling out quarterback Baker Mayfield playing against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 after Mayfield injured his non-throwing shoulder on a first-half hit during Sunday night’s 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. However, Bowles told reporters on Wednesday that backup Teddy Bridgewater would get the majority of starting reps in practice ahead of hosting the Cardinals.
After Mayfield’s initial injury in the first quarter of the Week 12 game, Mayfield re-aggravated his shoulder on a Hail Mary attempt in the second quarter. Mayfield did not play the rest of the game and spent the second half in a sling as Tampa Bay lost its third straight game. On Wednesday, Bowles said Mayfield’s availability would come down to how Mayfield feels at the end of the week.
Monday’s MRI has revealed that Mayfield has sustained a low-grade strain, according to NFL Media. Bowles characterized Mayfield as “sore” during his Wednesday availability.
The Buccaneers (6-5) started the season 6-2, but this rough patch in recent weeks squandered their lead in the NFC South. Now tied with the Carolina Panthers at the top of the division, the Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed in the NFC with six games to play. Tampa Bay is gunning for its sixth straight divisional crown, but Mayfield’s availability is paramount to reaching the postseason.
Mayfield threw a touchdown pass and two interceptions in the first half of Sunday’s loss in Los Angeles before exiting the game. He was among the league’s leading MVP candidates through the first six games before the schedule stiffened.
The Buccaneers host the Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons over the next three weeks as they turn to Bridgewater if Mayfield is sidelined. Mayfield experienced pain in his non-throwing shoulder before in his career after tearing his labrum during the 2021 season.
A shoulder sprain usually takes a few weeks to heal, but quarterbacks have returned in short order with rest as well.
“You never want to see guys injured, especially your leader,” Bridgewater said. “But Baker’s a tough guy, man. He tried to come back out there and tough it out for the guys. That says a lot about him.”
Now in his third season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield made 45 consecutive starts and has not missed a game since 2022, when a high ankle sprain with the Panthers caused him to miss time.
Mayfield has thrown for 2,406 yards and 18 touchdowns this season with a 60.8 QBR, the second-highest rating of his career.
