Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield’s status is up in the air after a left-shoulder injury forced him out of the Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With the NFC South race tightening, the team needs its leader back on the field.
Will he be ready for the Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals?
What Is the Latest on Baker Mayfield’s Injury?
Mayfield took a hit on a scramble late in the second quarter against Los Angeles and briefly left the field. He tried to tough it out, returning for one more drive, but appeared to aggravate the issue on a deep throw before halftime.
The team ruled him out for the rest of the game, and he watched from the sideline with his left arm in a sling. Initial evaluations pointed to a sprained AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder.
Before exiting, Mayfield struggled to get going. He completed nine of 19 passes for 41 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Teddy Bridgewater stepped in for the second half, finishing eight of 15 passing for 62 yards.
An MRI on Monday confirmed a low-grade AC joint sprain, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The injury is considered day-to-day, and the Buccaneers “are not ruling him out” for Week 13.
After missing practice Wednesday, Mayfield was upgraded to limited in practice on Thursday, offering some hope for the weekend.
Head coach Todd Bowles noted the team will monitor Mayfield’s pain tolerance and range of motion before making a final call. The quarterback must pass functional tests, including taking snaps, handing off, and absorbing contact, before he gets cleared. If Mayfield can’t go, Bridgewater will take the first-team reps and make his first start since Week 17 of the 2022 season.
Can the Buccaneers Snap Their Losing Streak?
Tampa Bay returns home with a 6-5 record, holding a slim lead over the 6-6 Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. The schedule provides a slight advantage, as their next three games are in Tampa. This is a crucial stretch for a roster that is banged up and trying to break a three-game losing skid.
The offense has hit a rough patch lately. They ranked in the bottom two of PFSN’s Offense Impact (OFFi) rating in Week 12, posting a 61.2 score and a D- grade against the Rams. That marks the third time in the last five games they have graded out at a D+ or worse.
Defensively, things aren’t much better. After giving up 44 points to the Buffalo Bills and 34 to the Rams, the unit rated as the worst defense in PFSN’s Defense Impact (DEFi) rating for Week 12.
Fortunately for Tampa Bay, Arizona has its own major defensive issues. The Cardinals have allowed 112 points during their current three-game losing streak.
Despite Mayfield’s recent struggles following early MVP buzz, the Buccaneers will likely be the favorites to get back in the win column if their starter can play.