Baker Mayfield Expected to Miss Minimum of Three Weeks Due to Thumb Injury

<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers provided an update on quarterback Baker Mayfield's injury on Monday. Head coach Todd Bowles stated that Mayfield is expected to miss a "minimum" of three weeks after dislocating his right thumb during the Buccaneers’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Mayfield was seen in pain after the injury.</p><p>Bowles mentioned, "We’ll keep him on (the active roster) right now but we’re not sure. It could be, possibly, sooner. We’ll know how it goes how it’s gonna go." Mayfield sustained the injury while throwing the ball as he rolled to his right, resulting in his hand hitting Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman. The play ended with an interception, and Mayfield was heard screaming in pain.</p><p>An MRI indicated no ligament damage or fractures. Prior to this injury, Mayfield had not missed any games since joining the Buccaneers after previous stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Cleveland Browns. He signed a contract extension worth $165 million over three years before the season began.</p><p>The Buccaneers' loss to Minnesota marked their third consecutive defeat, resulting in an 0-3 record, their worst start since 2014. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is expected to take over as the starting quarterback. He completed 0-of-3 passes with one interception in relief of Mayfield at the end of the game.</p><p>Daniels played college football at Kansas, where he recorded 2,531 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns last season, along with 404 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Bowles commented on Daniels, saying, "He's going to be like every other rookie, but he's played well in the preseason. He's very bright. He's not going to be out there by himself. There'll be 22 other guys out there helping him out. So, you know, we just expect him to do his job and play at a high level as he expects from himself."</p>