Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is not playing against the Green Bay Packers because of a dislocated right thumb.
Why is Baker Mayfield not playing?
Mayfield has a dislocated right thumb. As per multiple sources, how long he stays out depends on how quickly he can grip a football.
It remains to be seen when Mayfield will be able to resume practicing.
Also read: Breece Hall injury update: Why is Jets RB not playing today in Week 4 vs Bears?
When is he expected back?
According to ESPN, Baker Mayfield could miss more than the three weeks the Buccaneers initially expect. His return depends on when he can grip the football again.
Coach Todd Bowles said this week that Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks. As per ESPN, his absence could stretch to six weeks.
{{/usCountry}}Coach Todd Bowles said this week that Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks. As per ESPN, his absence could stretch to six weeks.
{{/usCountry}}Mayfield is not expected to need surgery. His MRI on Monday showed no additional damage. He has also not been placed on injured reserve (IR).
Who will replace Baker Mayfield?
Rookie Jalon Daniels will be the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback for as long as Baker Mayfield is out.
According to CBS Sports, Daniels is an undrafted rookie. He will get a chance to lead Tampa Bay while Mayfield is out as the Buccaneers try to recover from their 0-3 start. Seven NFL teams have made the playoffs after starting a season 0-3. The Buccaneers were one of those teams in 1982.
Daniels will make his first start for Tampa Bay on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. He will also be the Buccaneers’ first starting quarterback other than Mayfield since 2022.
How has Mayfield played this season?
Baker Mayfield had a strong individual season in 2025. However, he struggled to find his rhythm in his three starts this season.
Mayfield completed 63.5% of his passes for 615 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Buccaneers are still winless.
Mayfield was sacked six times and taken to the ground 12 times in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. This led to criticism that he was trying to do too much outside the pocket.
As per CBS, former Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski said this week: “He just needs to go down, throw it away, get tackled.”
He added, “He's trying to break too many tackles, but like I said, that's just his personality. That's just how he plays the game of football. But at the quarterback position in the NFL, with everyone being good, sometimes you just need to throw the ball away. You just really do, and just go on to the next play and do what you got to do on the next play.”