The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fighting for their playoff lives, but that battle will get all the more difficult if Baker Mayfield is injured. The Bucs’ starting quarterback was hurt on the club’s first offensive drive — what’s the latest on Mayfield?
Baker Mayfield Injury Update
Mayfield was injured on a quarterback sneak attempt from the 1-yard line in the first quarter of today’s game. He was down on the field in pain and had to be assisted by Tampa Bay’s medical staff.
While Mayfield was eventually able to leave the field, he was limping as he headed for the sideline. He appears to have suffered a right ankle injury. Mayfield was initially assessed in the blue medical tent, but he soon exited and began walking around Tampa Bay’s sideline.
#Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield limped off the field after getting injured on this QB sneak.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 26, 2023
The CBS broadcast suggested that Mayfield was throwing passes on the sideline and appeared ready to re-enter the game when the Bucs got the ball back from the Indianapolis Colts.
Tampa Bay confirmed that news and Mayfield was back on the field when the Buccaneers began their next drive.
However, Mayfield was limping and hardly able to put any weight on his ankle after the game, as ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported.
“Didn’t feel very good. Just had Bobby and the team tape me up again as much as they possibly could and go from there, but it’ll be pretty sore tomorrow,” Mayfield said.
MORE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart
Fortunately, head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield’s MRI came back negative, so he didn’t suffer any ligament damage.
Kyle Trask, a 2021 second-round pick who sat behind Tom Brady before losing a preseason QB competition to Mayfield, took over under center. He threw an incomplete pass to Chris Godwin on 3rd-and-goal, forcing Tampa Bay to kick a field goal to end their first drive.
Mayfield has experienced a career rejuvenation with the Bucs in 2023, tossing 15 touchdowns against six interceptions while reducing his sack rate and ranking 15th in QBR.
What Would the Bucs’ Offense Look Like Without Mayfield?
Mayfield had 2,389 passing yards and 15 scores through the air heading into this contest. He’s thrown for over 200 yards in seven straight games, which has helped make WR Mike Evans a reliable fantasy option. Evans, Chris Godwin, and Cade Otton will all slightly drop down the fantasy rankings while Mayfield is out of the lineup.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate
