Baker Mayfield’s Week 12 took an unexpected turn, leaving fantasy football managers holding their breath. The Tampa Bay quarterback was sidelined after a play that raised more than a few eyebrows on the Buccaneers’ sideline. Early reports offer some optimism, but questions still linger about his availability moving forward.
How serious is it, and what could it mean for your fantasy football lineup heading into Week 13?
Baker Mayfield Injury Update
Mayfield suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in the second quarter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. He did not return to the field.
There was initially concern over Mayfield’s injury, but additional testing on Monday showed that he had suffered a low-grade shoulder sprain that should not cost him much, if any, playing time. Mayfield did not take part in Wednesday’s walkthrough practice.
If Mayfield misses Week 13, veteran Teddy Bridgewater would make his first start of the season.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Mayfield Fantasy Outlook
Mayfield left the Week 12 loss with a non-throwing shoulder injury, and while reports indicated “there was no fracture and no structural damage” on Monday, this situation is likely to come down to the wire.
Why ruin your holiday weekend sweating this news?
READ MORE: Soppe’s Week 13 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
Mayfield doesn’t have multiple TD passes in four of his past five games and hasn’t flashed the type of elevated floor that he did earlier this year. With Mike Evans out and opponents adjusting to what it is that Emeka Egbuka likes to do, the upside of this profile is all but gone. The rushing numbers are spotty, and we are six weeks removed from Mayfield’s last 35+ yard completion.
If he plays, this is a fine matchup, but if we are talking banged-up starters, I’d rather roll the dice on CJ Stroud on a fast track and likely playing in catch-up mode.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe