A Costly Interception
Baker Mayfield’s afternoon ended in pain. The Buccaneers quarterback dislocated his right thumb on a fourth-and-13 interception late in Tampa Bay’s 23-16 home loss to Minnesota, getting hit in the hand by pass rusher Blake Cashman as Andrew Van Ginkel picked him off with 1:39 left.
Mayfield walked to the sideline holding a bloody thumb, then slammed his helmet down on his way to the locker room. Coach Todd Bowles confirmed the injury afterward and said X-rays came back clean, with an MRI scheduled for Monday.
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Daniels Steps In For The Final Series
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels took over for Tampa Bay’s last possession, completing none of his three passes, including an interception on a Hail Mary attempt, while adding one scramble for nine yards. He’s the only other quarterback on the 53-man roster behind Mayfield, and Bowles indicated Daniels would start next week against Green Bay if Mayfield can’t go. Easton Stick, on the practice squad, went 0-4 as a starter for the Chargers in 2023 when Justin Herbert was hurt, giving Tampa Bay a fallback option if needed.
Mayfield had been playing well before the injury, completing 17 of 34 passes for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception. That score was the 199th passing touchdown of his career. He signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Buccaneers earlier this year, his fourth season in Tampa Bay and ninth in the league, a run that has already produced two Pro Bowl selections with the franchise.
The Buccaneers are now 0-3 to open the season, and their next step depends on what Monday’s MRI shows.
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