Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb during a 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 27. Mayfield is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, Sept. 28, to determine the severity of the injury to his throwing hand after initial X-rays showed no fracture.
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter during a fourth-down play while the Buccaneers trailed 20-16. Facing fourth-and-13 from their own 39-yard line with just under two minutes remaining, Mayfield retreated all the way inside the Bucs 15, scrambling and weaving more than 20 yards backward before launching a desperation heave. The pass was intercepted by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. During the follow-through, Mayfield’s right hand glanced off the arm of Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman, sending the quarterback to the turf at Raymond James Stadium in visible discomfort. He could be heard screaming on the telecast before making his way to the sideline and locker room with the Tampa Bay training staff.
MRI Results and the Jalon Daniels Contingency
While X-rays did not reveal a break, head coach Todd Bowles noted that the team will not know the full extent of the damage until the Monday MRI. He's got a dislocated thumb. He's going to have an MRI (Monday) just to see exactly what inside is wrong with it,
Bowles said. The timing is particularly precarious for a Buccaneers offense that has struggled to find the end zone, scoring only two touchdowns in its opener against Cincinnati and one in a loss to Cleveland.
If the injury prevents Mayfield from playing next Sunday against the Packers, rookie Jalon Daniels would likely start. We haven't really gotten into it yet. We'll see what the MRI says, and then we'll kind of talk amongst ourselves and kind of see,
Bowles said. But right now, Jalon would probably go in.
Daniels replaced Mayfield for the final series on Sunday, which ended with a fourth-down interception as time expired. However, some analysts suggest the team might seek a veteran addition if the injury forces Mayfield to miss multiple games rather than relying on the unproven rookie.
A Winless Start and the 2014 Parallel
The loss leaves Tampa Bay winless through three games, a start the franchise has not seen since 2014. That specific 0-3 start preceded a dismal 2-14 season and the subsequent selection of Jameis Winston with the first overall pick.
Mayfield’s personal trajectory is also under scrutiny. Since signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension less than a week before the season opener, the two-time Pro Bowler has struggled, including a loss in a revenge game in Week 2 against his former team, the Cleveland Browns. On Sunday, he finished 17 of 34 for 217 yards, one touchdown—a 40-yard strike to rookie Ted Hurst III in the opening quarter—and one interception, while running twice for six yards. He was taken down for six sacks and saw an 85-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin wiped out by a third-quarter holding penalty.
The funny thing is we're 0-3 and we're a game out of first place. We have to get our stuff together, reach down … do more and figure out how we can be better,
said Bowles, who began the season under significant pressure after losing seven of nine contests following a 6-2 start in 2025.
Bowles defended the decision to go for it on fourth-and-13, stating, At the end of the game, we needed the play. We would’ve gotten the ball back with very little time. We had to make a play.
Compounding Injuries: Jalen McMillan’s Knee
The quarterback’s injury is not the only medical concern for the Buccaneers. Wide receiver Jalen McMillan also suffered a left knee injury and is expected to undergo an MRI. Team officials are working to determine if this is a new injury or related to a problem McMillan faced during training camp.
The team now awaits two separate MRI results that will dictate their available personnel and strategy as they attempt to snap a losing streak that includes 10 of their last 12 games dating back to last season.