The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to 0-3 with a 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium, and now they are without quarterback Baker Mayfield for at least the next few weeks.
On Monday, head coach Todd Bowles announced that Mayfield will miss three weeks after suffering a thumb injury.
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles said QB Baker Mayfield will miss three weeks with his thumb injury. pic.twitter.com/7KNayRlvzJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2026
Mayfield left the game in the fourth quarter after hitting his finger on the arm of Blake Cashman. Bowles said Mayfield had a dislocated thumb, and the first timeline came out Monday.
That is, Jalon Daniels will start, and he went undrafted after playing college football at Kansas.
Mayfield got a new three-year, $165 million deal before Week 1 after months of contract discussions, so it’s a big blow to both sides.
This season, Mayfield has thrown for just 615 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions as Tampa Bay is the last remaining winless team in the NFC, joining the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers as winless NFL teams.
Daniels replaced Mayfield on Sunday, but he went 0-for-3 with an interception in limited action, and their only option now at QB is Easton Stickwho is on the practice squad.
Tampa Bay faces the Green Bay Packers at home on Week 4.