Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield went down after an awkward sack in the team’s Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers. Below is the latest on the Bucs QB1.
What Happened to Baker Mayfield?
Mayfield was bent back awkwardly on a sack from Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell at 6:56 of the third quarter.
Mayfield stayed down on the ground in clear pain for a prolonged period while he was checked on by trainers.
Baker Mayfield suffered an injury on this play. #Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/Ewwry6c0y5
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) December 1, 2024
It’s not immediately clear what the injury was, though he was able to limp off the field into the blue medical tent. The broadcast speculated that he may have gotten stepped on and replays did appear to show Jadeveon Clowney inadvertently stepping on Mayfield’s ankle.
Sure enough, Mayfield confirmed after the game that his Achilles was stepped on.
“I got cleated on the Achilles or stepped on. … I’ve seen some people pop their Achilles before and they say it feels like you got cleated on the back [of your foot],” Mayfield explained. “Obviously, not knowing what exactly happened, that’s what I thought I did.”
“It was a little painful, but yeah, I got taped up again and went back out there.”
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said he got cleated on his Achilles: “Honestly, it scared the daylights out of me.” pic.twitter.com/aLC9KS6EUU
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 2, 2024
Did Mayfield Return to the Game in Week 13?
Mayfield re-entered after backup quarterback Kyle Trask came in for two plays. However, he subsequently threw an interception right after returning.
After the game, Mayfield joked about this interception.
“Now I’m the idiot that went [back] in on a 3rd and 1 and took Kyle Trask out and threw a pick right to No. 25’s chest,” he said. “But we found a way to win.”
Mayfield ultimately led the Bucs to a 26-23 overtime win over the Panthers, and he even had a clutch run to pick up a first down late in the game despite having a hurt ankle.
Mayfield finished the game with 235 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 21 of 33 passing.
It clearly wasn’t his best performance of the season, but he did just enough to get the win.