The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-3 and now they’ll have to dig out of that hole without the quarterback who has started every game for them since 2023. Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the veteran will miss a minimum of three weeks.
For a team that just signed Mayfield to a $165 million extension five days before the season, this is a brutal gut punch. For the first time in four years, someone other than Mayfield will start under center in Tampa.
The Injury: A Fourth-Down Collision
The play that changed Tampa Bay’s season came with less than two minutes left in a 20-16 game. Mayfield scrambled on fourth-and-13, trying to keep a desperate drive alive. As he released the ball, Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman hit his throwing arm, and Mayfield’s right thumb bent awkwardly on the follow-through.
The pass was intercepted by Andrew Van Ginkel. Mayfield immediately fell to the turf, clutching his hand. He walked off under his own power but headed straight to the locker room.
“It’s consistent with everything we thought it was, a dislocation,” Bowles said Monday.
The Good News: No Ligament or Tendon Damage
Initial X-rays showed no fracture. An MRI on Monday confirmed the best-case scenario: no ligament or tendon damage. That’s significant because a torn ligament in the thumb would have required surgery and a much longer absence.
Mayfield is still seeking a second opinion, but the diagnosis means this is a pain and grip issue rather than a structural one. The dislocated thumb on his throwing hand will limit his ability to grip and spin the football, which is why the team is holding him out for multiple weeks even without major damage.
The Timeline: Back by Week 7?
Bowles said Mayfield will miss a minimum of three weeks. Based on that timeline, the earliest return would be Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers.
The Buccaneers are not placing Mayfield on injured reserve at this time. If they did, he would be required to miss a minimum of four games. By keeping him on the active roster, they preserve the possibility of a quicker return if his grip improves faster than expected.
What’s Next: Jalon Daniels Takes Over
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will start in Mayfield’s absence. Daniels, a preseason standout, was thrust into action Sunday and went 0-for-3 with an interception on a Hail Mary attempt.
Bowles expressed cautious confidence in the rookie: “He’s very bright. He’s not going to be out there by himself. There will be 22 other guys out there helping him out.”
The Buccaneers are expected to add a veteran or practice squad quarterback for depth. Only Mayfield and Daniels are on the 53-man roster, with Easton Stick on the practice squad.
The Bigger Picture: A Season on the Brink
Mayfield hadn’t missed a start since joining the Buccaneers in 2023. He was an MVP candidate early in 2025 before a cascade of injuries, including oblique, shoulder, ankle, knee, and biceps issues, derailed his season and the team’s.
The Bucs opened 2026 with three straight one-score losses. Now they lose their quarterback. The NFC South is still within reach. Bowles noted they’re “a game out of first place,” but the margin for error just vanished.
The Bottom Line
Baker Mayfield will miss at least three weeks with a dislocated right thumb. No surgery, no ligament damage, and a realistic chance to return by Week 7. But for a winless team with a rookie quarterback under center and a brutal stretch ahead, the next month will define whether Tampa Bay’s season is salvageable.
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