Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Garafolo reports Baker Mayfield must show Tampa Bay he can grip and throw the football as he attempts to return from his thumb injury. The issue is functionality rather than pain tolerance. Garafolo said the Buccaneers were still expecting Jalon Daniels to start as recently as Monday; Mayfield’s availability against Carolina remains unsettled.

Related Players: Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, Cade Otton, Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell

Keep Daniels available in superflex leagues until Tampa Bay confirms its starter. If Mayfield remains out, Daniels’ rushing gives him QB2 appeal, while Egbuka is a WR3 and Godwin a more volatile PPR FLEX. Otton remains a TE2 option. A healthy Mayfield return would improve the passing game’s outlook, but managers should wait for confirmation that he can throw effectively before counting on that upgrade.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield missed his third straight game on Sunday, but the team is hoping that his absence from the lineup will be ending soon.

Mayfield’s dislocated right thumb has also kept him off of the practice field since he was injured in Week 3, but he tested his ability to throw the ball last week and head coach Todd Bowles said at a Monday press conference that the current plan is for Mayfield to be involved in practice this week.

Related players: Jalon Daniels

After that, the Bucs plan to evaluate Mayfield this week to determine his status for Week 7. We'll likely know more later in the week, but if there is any chance Mayfield can play, he'll be on the field with the Bucs sitting at 1-5.

The Buccaneers will release their final injury report of the week later on Friday afternoon, but immediately following practice Head Coach Todd Bowles revealed that quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. have been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Related Players: Jalon Daniels, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, Cade Otton, Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker

Daniels’ rushing ability makes him a usable superflex QB2 and an emergency streaming option in one-quarterback leagues. Egbuka remains a WR3/FLEX play, while Godwin is a more volatile PPR FLEX. Otton belongs in the TE2 streaming pool rather than starting lineups by default. Irving remains a viable RB2, but Mayfield’s absence lowers the offense’s passing and scoring ceiling.

The Buccaneers ruled Baker Mayfield out of Thursday night’s game against Dallas because of his right thumb injury. Mayfield did not practice throughout the shortened week, leaving rookie Jalon Daniels in line to make another start.

Related Players: Bucky Irving, Cade Otton, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson

Daniels is available only as a low-end superflex option. His presence lowers the ceiling of every Tampa Bay pass catcher, especially with the offense facing a short turnaround. Irving remains startable through projected volume, while Otton, Egbuka, and Godwin carry more touchdown-dependent profiles.

Wide receiver Jalen McMillan left Tampa’s 23-16 loss to the Vikings with a left knee injury. Per multiple reports, McMillan will miss 6-8 weeks after suffering a PCL injury.

Related players: Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Jalon Daniels

The hits keep coming for the Bucs, whose season is on the brink of total disaster after losing QB Baker Mayfield for at least three weeks and currently sitting at 0-3. Now, they will be short a wide receiver as well. McMillan had just one target over the first three weeks of the season. Rookie Hurst, who had a great camp and offseason, looks poised to earn more snaps with McMillan out, but it will be another rookie in Daniels under center at least for the short term. Hurst could be worth a stash in the deepest of leagues but this will be a wait-and-see situation.

Sources: Bucs QB Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb but got good news on the MRI. No fracture and no ligament or tendon damage.

Related players: Jalon Daniels

It's a quick update from the original report we had earlier today. Rapoport said in the earlier post Mayfield was looking at a timeline of 2-4 weeks for his dislocated thumb, but it would be much longer if there was additional damage. The Buccaneers have just recently come out and said it will be a minimum of three weeks Mayfield is out, according to a story on Pro Football Talk.

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (thumb) to miss at least 2-4 weeks.

Related players: Jalon Daniels, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell

Mayfield dislocated his right thumb, according to Rapoport, and is scheduled for an MRI. Rapoport said the best case is Mayfield missing 2-4 weeks. But, it could be a lot longer if Mayfield tore ligaments in his thumb. The MRI will likely answer those questions, but it looks like Daniels will take over as the Bucs QB, and it likely means a big downgrade for the Tampa weapons.

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles announced that QB Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb during Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Mayfield left the game in the fourth quarter. He will undergo an MRI Monday but he is expected to miss some time as a result. He threw for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception before exiting. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels would be in line to start while Mayfield is out. 0-3 Tampa hosts 1-2 Green Bay next week.

Jalen McMillan was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice as he continues working back from a knee injury.

Related Players: Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Cade Otton

McMillan appears on track to return, although another full practice Thursday would strengthen that expectation. His presence would likely push rookie Ted Hurst out of the three-receiver package and make both Hurst and Tez Johnson difficult to use. McMillan himself remains a bench option until his role becomes clearer.

Todd Bowles said Jalen McMillan and Sean Tucker are doubtful against Cincinnati despite both practicing on a limited basis Friday. Neither experienced a setback, but the Buccaneers expect to proceed without them. Emeka Egbuka is “full-go.”

Related Players: Chris Godwin, Ted Hurst, Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Josh Williams

Egbuka can be started without injury concerns and gains additional target stability with McMillan unlikely to play. Rookie Ted Hurst should receive more reps as Tampa Bay’s third receiver. Tucker’s expected absence consolidates the active backfield around Irving and Gainwell, while practice-squad back Josh Williams could be elevated.