The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) finally got some relief after a tense week: Baker Mayfield’s injury is not as serious as previously believed.
The quarterback underwent one of the most anticipated MRIs of the year, and according to Ian Rapoport, there is no structural damage to his left shoulder. The diagnosis is a low-grade sprain, a significant relief after the blow that forced him to leave the game against the Rams. Baker Mayfield’s injury will continue to be a major talking point for the team, but the situation is more hopeful than it seemed on Sunday.
Even So…
Even so, all signs point to Baker Mayfield not playing in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals (3-8). The staff’s plan is to manage his recovery by building pain tolerance and working towards having him available for Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints (2-9). The goal is clear: to minimize risks upon his return and prevent a minor issue from becoming a major one.
With Mayfield out, it’s Teddy Bridgewater’s turn. The veteran will take the reins after experiencing an atypical and demanding week: he traveled to Los Angeles on Sunday morning from Miami, where he attended his mentor’s funeral, and just 12 hours later he was already on the field in the second half. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 62 yards and was sacked twice, an understandable performance given the circumstances.
Bridgewater brings experience—83 games played and 65 starts in his career—and is facing his first start since 2022. Todd Bowles valued that track record and made it clear that the offense will be adjusted to his profile: “He’s a different quarterback than Mayfield. We’ll make changes so he’s comfortable with the things he likes to do.”
Last Shot
The Bucs remain firmly in the hunt for the NFC South title. The loss of Mayfield is a significant blow, but the locker room is confident they can compete with Bridgewater and keep the team’s title hopes alive until his return.
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This article was translated from it’s original form in Spanish to English via META AI.
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