Big Morning For Baker Mayfield
October 22nd, 2026
How will the thumb respond?
A little after 11 a.m. this morning will be telling for the Bucs and how they develop a battle plan for their game Sunday at Carolina.
Will Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield be ready to throw?
Yesterday was Mayfield’s first full practice since he dislocated the thumb in his throwing hand in a loss to the Browns.
By all accounts, per KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles, Mayfield threw the ball find and gripped the ball find, albeit wearing a glove on his throwing hand throughout the full practice.
Friend of the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Judy Battista of NFL Network, reported last night on an episode of “The Insiders” that the Bucs are looking for two elements in Mayfield’s return.
The first: could he grip the ball? That seemed to be a yes, per Battista, as she said she spoke with her Bucs sources last night. But the biggest thing is, how is Mayfield today?
Battista noted that aside from Mayfield being able to grip the ball properly, the Bucs are waiting to see how Mayfield responds to a full day of practice. Will he experience any swelling in the thumb? Will he still be able to grip the ball today?
Bowles said yesterday that he wants to make a decision on who starts on Friday. So Joe thinks if Mayfield cannot throw today, then the team will be leaning toward naming Jalon Daniels the starter for Sunday.
So late this morning will be big for Mayfield’s quest to return to the field on Sunday.
"How does the thumb respond? How does it feel? Can he keep getting through practices?"@judybattista details what Baker Mayfield must do to be able to return to the Buccaneers this week 👀 pic.twitter.com/nGJ0Y5onZ1
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 22, 2026
October 22nd, 2026 at 4:05 am
Let’s go, Baker! Back in the saddle, again!
October 22nd, 2026 at 5:25 am
My recommendation is that you ask Baker if he feels ready to play or not. He won’t play if he can’t play. We played Carolina the last game of the 2023 season and Baker was in no shape to play. Canales was our offensive coordinator.
Of course, Bowles and Baker and Canales (they got us within a play of the NFC championship game) knew that a wounded Baker gave us a much better chance than Trask.
So they game planned conservatively and the defense brought the fire. A good team (which we are) plays with who gives you the best chance to win.
It’s gonna take a great team effort to win this game. We’ve beaten Canales 3 out of 4 since he left us. Baker has been at the helm of all 4 of those games.
For God’s sake, if the man decides he wants to play then he’s playing! He’s making more money- by a long shot- than anybody who has ever played for or worked for this franchise. Baker will have the final say on whether he plays or not. You people are cracking me up.
October 22nd, 2026 at 5:26 am
My guess is they’re hoping he doesn’t play so Bowles can use his injury excuses at seasons end.
October 22nd, 2026 at 5:45 am
here’s the sugar-plum-fairy version of events : Baker plays on Sunday – balls out and wins – Bucs season is turned around and Bucs in the playoffs –
that is not gonna happen – any of it