Baker Mayfield

As the Buccaneers prepare for a critical intra-division game against the Panthers this week, they will also be trying to determine if quarterback Baker Mayfield will be able return from action following his thumb injury

Injury / practice· Read on Buccaneers.com (opens in a new tab)

Baker Mayfield will return to practice Wednesday for the Buccaneers, but the team will prepare as if Jalon Daniels will start at QB, coach Todd Bowles said.

Injury / practice· Jenna Laine· Read on ESPN Buccaneers (opens in a new tab)

Mayfield hasn't logged any practice activity and has missed three consecutive games since dislocating his right thumb in a Sept. 27 loss to the Vikings, but he looks poised to take a meaningful step forward in his recovery process during the upcoming week. According to Greg Auman of Fox Sports, Bowles added that while he's still planning for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to make a fourth straight start this coming Sunday against the Panthers, the Buccaneers will evaluate how Mayfield looks with his throwing over the next few days before making any decisions. Shortly after Mayfield was diagnosed with the dislocated thumb, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the veteran signal-caller was facing a loose recovery timeline in the range of 3-to-6 weeks.

Injury / practice

Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed what had been made obvious by Mayfield's continued absence from practices. There hasn't been anything said about his Week 7 chances, but the fact that it wasn't even a close call for Week 6 isn't the best sign. Jalon Daniels will make another start Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Injury / practice

Mayfield officially hasn't practiced so far this week due to the dislocated right thumb that he sustained back in Week 3 against the Vikings, but head coach Todd Bowles told Greg Auman of Fox Sports that the quarterback was slated to attempt throwing Wednesday. Clearly, Mayfield is making progress away from the practice field, but until he mixes into drills in some capacity, he'll continue to cede starts to undrafted rookie signal-caller Jalon Daniels on game days.

Coach comments

Mayfield has yet to practice or play since sustaining a thumb injury late in Tampa Bay's Week 3 loss to the Vikings. He looks to be headed for a third consecutive absence Sunday against the Steelers, which would pave the way for Jalon Daniels to remain in the starting role under center. Daniels guided the Buccaneers to a win over Dallas in Week 5 after losing to the Packers in Week 4.

Injury / practice

However, head coach Todd Bowles said that Mayfield will attempt to throw Wednesday afternoon as he progresses in his recovery from a dislocated right thumb, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. It remains unclear if Mayfield will be able to mix into any drills Thursday and/or Friday, but if he does, it'll mark his first on-field activity since initially suffering the injury in Week 3 against the Vikings. In Mayfield's stead, undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels has directed to Buccaneers to a 1-1 record.

Injury / practice

After recently transitioning into a smaller splint for his dislocated right thumb, Mayfield is expected to test his ability to grip and throw the football this week, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. However, Mayfield looks like he'll wait until at least Thursday to get back on the field, with his ongoing absence from practice likely setting the stage for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to make a third straight start this weekend against the Steelers.

Injury / practice