Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits MRI results after injuring his left shoulder. Early evaluations suggest a sprained AC joint with no fracture or structural damage, meaning Mayfield could play as soon as next weekend. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that team physicians are cautiously optimistic, given the outcome is better than initially feared, following Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Mayfield sustained the injury twice in the first half: first on a scramble when he took a hard hit, and later on a Hail Mary attempt just before halftime. Trainers attended to him between drives. Although he completed the first half, he did not play in the third quarter. Midway through the second half, television showed him in a sling and in street clothes, indicating he had been ruled out for the rest of the game.
Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield aggravated a previous shoulder injury with his final first-half throw but will undergo further MRI evaluation. The team remains cautiously optimistic and has not ruled him out for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, pending more information.
Mayfield’s history of a 2021 torn labrum in the same shoulder with Cleveland adds context, but this injury is believed to be less severe. The Buccaneers plan to proceed with caution this week.
Mayfield has played a key role in Tampa Bay’s 2024 resurgence. Over 11 games, he has a 62.7 percent completion rate with 2,406 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His performance helped the team mount an early-season surge and briefly placed him in MVP consideration. Analysts have credited Mayfield’s efficiency, pocket movement, and poise for Tampa Bay’s improved offense after a difficult 2023 season.
The organization’s trust in Mayfield is echoed in the locker room. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who replaced him Sunday, highlighted Mayfield’s value beyond the numbers: “You never want to see a guy like Baker go down, especially when he’s been the heartbeat of this team,” Bridgewater said. “But he’s a tough guy. Everyone knows that.”
As Tampa Bay enters a crucial part of the season at 6–5, Mayfield’s status could impact offensive planning for Week 13. The staff will prepare Bridgewater to start if Mayfield is unavailable.
The team’s game plan will depend on MRI results expected early in the week. AC joint sprains can range from mild discomfort to multi-week limitations, depending on the degree of ligament involvement. Sports medicine sources report that quarterbacks often manage minor AC sprains with padding and lighter practice loads.
For now, Tampa Bay is preparing for both a quick return by Mayfield or a short-term reliance on Bridgewater, whose last NFL start came in 2022. Mayfield has a history of playing through pain, but the Buccaneers want to balance his competitiveness with long-term health as they approach the season’s final stretch.
If cleared to play, Mayfield could return to a favorable home matchup against the Cardinals, which would boost the Bucs’ efforts to regain momentum. Until MRI results are back, the team remains in a wait-and-see mode, hoping to confirm the early, optimistic outlook.
