Baker Mayfield to Play Against Panthers Sunday

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback expects to return following a thumb injury.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Football

Baker Mayfield to Play Against Panthers Sunday

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Quarterback Baker Mayfield confirmed his injured thumb is ready for action ahead of the team's Sunday game against the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield sustained a dislocated thumb earlier this season and has been managing the recovery.

Why it matters

The return of Mayfield is critical for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team currently struggling with a 1-5 record. He steps back into the starting role to provide stability after Jalon Daniels filled in during his absence.

Baker Mayfield recorded 615 passing yards this season, while backup Jalon Daniels completed 60 of 95 pass attempts for 501 yards and a 3-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The players

Baker Mayfield

He is the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who has been sidelined by a thumb injury.

Jalon Daniels

He is the backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who started the previous three games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is a professional football team based in Tampa that holds a 1-5 record this season.

The details

Mayfield has utilized a reinforced glove to protect his dislocated thumb during his recovery process. Jalon Daniels, who secured the backup position during the preseason, managed the offense during the team's recent 26-19 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Preseason: Jalon Daniels won the backup quarterback job.
Week 6: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to Pittsburgh.
Sunday: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Carolina Panthers.

Season Trajectory

This quarterback move follows the pattern set by the 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-5 season start, as the team attempts to reverse its current losing trend. Mayfield's return is intended to provide a spark for the struggling offense as the team looks to improve its standing.

The return of Mayfield shifts the starting rotation back to the veteran, likely reducing the passing volume seen by Jalon Daniels over the last three weeks. Fantasy managers should adjust their expectations for the Tampa Bay passing game accordingly.

The takeaway

Mayfield must demonstrate that the reinforced glove does not hinder his passing accuracy during live gameplay. Monitoring his performance in early drives will be key to determining if the injury will remain a lingering issue for the remainder of the season.