Baker Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks after injuring his throwing-hand thumb in Tampa Bay's Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. An MRI completed Monday confirmed the thumb was dislocated, but found no fracture or tendon damage, according to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Head Coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield is not expected to need surgery or a stint on injured reserve. The injury will end Mayfield's run of 57 consecutive regular-season and postseason starts for Tampa Bay, which began in 2023.
Jalon Daniels is scheduled to make his first NFL start against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. The undrafted rookie from Kansas will be the first Tampa Bay quarterback other than Mayfield to start since Tom Brady in 2022.
Daniels entered late against Minnesota after Mayfield left the game. He ran for nine yards, missed on two passing attempts and had a final-play Hail Mary intercepted near the goal line. Bowles said the team expects Daniels to handle the role for at least the next three games and to rely on his preseason performance, decision-making and confidence.
The start will also make Daniels the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start a game for Tampa Bay in the franchise's 51 seasons. Jameis Winston was the most recent rookie to start for the team, opening every game in 2015 after being selected first overall.
