Baker Mayfield badly wants to return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the odds still point to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels starting again against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday morning.
Mayfield has been sidelined since dislocating his right thumb, ending a 57-game starting streak that dated to his arrival in Tampa Bay in 2023. Daniels started the Week 5 win at Dallas and would make a third straight start if the club holds Mayfield out for another week.
Where the thumb stands
By Wednesday afternoon the picture had sharpened. Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield has not resumed throwing yet, and the Buccaneers listed him as a non-participant on the first official injury report of Steelers week. Antoine Winfield Jr. (rib) and Sean Tucker (quad) also did not practice.
Mayfield had been expected to test his grip and throw this week after moving into a smaller splint, but Bowles’ update leaves him a safe bet to miss a third straight start. Daniels will start Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Daniels holding the fort
Daniels led Tampa Bay to its first win of the season in Arlington, completing 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown without an interception, a 110.2 passer rating, while Bucky Irving ran for 165 yards and two scores in a 24-16 victory. The Buccaneers are 1-4 after that breakthrough and host Pittsburgh on Sunday.
What comes next
Kickoff against the Steelers is Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Mayfield’s practice participation and game designation will be updated on the injury report as the week unfolds.
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