The Los Angeles Rams raced out to a three-score lead on primetime. The shorthanded Buccaneers struggled to get their offense going until the middle of the second quarter. After reaching the red zone, Baker Mayfield threw a strike to Tez Johnson to get on the board. Mayfield came off the field holding his shoulder with an apparent injury.
What Happened to Baker Mayfield?
After the Tampa Bay possession, Mayfield headed straight for the medical tent, holding his left shoulder and arm area. It didn’t stop him from leading a touchdown drive as he’s one of the toughest quarterbacks in the NFL.
But if his arm is in trouble, Teddy Bridgewater might have to step in. The concussion specialist also went into the tent to monitor Mayfield for a potential head injury.
Baker Mayfield to Tez Johnson gets the Bucs on the board!
TBvsLAR on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/2odWfGecbQ— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
Given that the injury is to Mayfield’s left arm, it shouldn’t be something that knocks him out of the game. If it does, that would be a massive problem for everyone on the Bucs.
Buccaneers fans breathed a sigh of relief as Mayfield returned to the field for Tampa Bay’s next possession. He was in the tent for the entire Los Angeles drive, but emerged with his helmet to miss no time.
However, Buccaneers fans can’t be too happy as the Rams marched right down the field and restored their three-score lead. Their defense is getting picked apart in a clinic by Matthew Stafford. The Buccaneers’ defense needs to get it together as soon as possible, and the offense has a tall task ahead to try to erase the deficit.
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Tampa Bay is already very shorthanded. They don’t have key weapons, Mike Evans and Bucky Irving, and Chris Godwin is just returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines. They’ve done enough to stay afloat with good play from Mayfield, Sean Tucker, and Egbuka, but their luck has run out, and they are staring at their third-straight loss.
Bridgewater is kind of just collecting a paycheck at this point in his career. He literally came out of retirement last December to serve as the Lions’ backup in the postseason. Now, he’s Mayfield’s backup.
If needed, Bridgewater will enter this game in a situation where the Bucs have to play catch-up, which is not suitable for anyone. Fantasy managers would have to downgrade Egbuka, Cade Otton, and everyone else on this roster.
Mayfield is the 22nd-ranked quarterback in PFSN’s QB Impact score with an impact score of 73.5. He’s had to work without many of his top weapons and has dragged the Buccaneers to where they are right now. Even Mayfield had to deal with nagging injuries, but played through them.
Mayfield tried hurling a prayer at the end of the half to steal some points, but after the throw, he was in loads of pain. He stayed down, grabbing at that arm and shoulder that was bothering him on the touchdown drive. The throw fluttered through the air, coming up well short of the end zone as Rams DB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. intercepted the pass, but couldn’t run it back for a score.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is in serious discomfort at the end of the first half.
It’s his arm/shoulder. Looks painful. pic.twitter.com/wUhazQ1nuC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 24, 2025
That throw looks to be Mayfield’s last of the game. He is doubtful to return against the Rams, and Bridgewater will step in. The Buccaneers need to prioritize Mayfield’s health beyond tonight, especially given the large deficit they already have. The good news is that it’s not his throwing shoulder, but it’s still not what the already injury-ridden team wanted out of this game tonight.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is doubtful to return with a left shoulder injury.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 24, 2025
Mayfield was eventually ruled out, as expected. There is no reason for Tampa Bay to bring him back into a game where they are getting blown out. The worrying sign is that Mayfield is on the sideline with a sling.
Baker Mayfield is on the sideline with his left arm in a sling.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2025
The Buccaneers have to get the train back on track. It would be a lot more complicated if Mayfield is struggling with injury issues. With a loss tonight and a potential Panthers win, the two teams would be tied at the top of the NFC South.
In what seemed like a team that would cruise to a division title, the Buccaneers have let the injuries catch up to them and could be in a dogfight until the end for the division title.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.Â
