There is more clarity on Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after he suffered a dislocated thumb late in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings.
Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters in his Monday press conference that Mayfield will be out for a minimum of three weeks.
“It’s consistent with everything we thought it was — a dislocation,” Bowles said.
According to multiple reporters on the Bucs beat, further tests on Mayfield’s thumb did not reveal a fracture or ligament damage.
With the current timetable, the Buccaneers are not planning on placing Mayfield on injured reserve right now. But that could change. If the Bucs were to put Mayfield on IR, he’d be out for a minimum of four games.
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is set to become the starter in Mayfield’s absence.
“Well it’s going to be like every other rookie, but he’s played well in the preseason,” Bowles said. “He’s very bright. He’s not going to be out there by himself — there will be 22 other guys out there helping him out. So, we’re just expecting him to do his job, play at a high level, as he expects from himself.”
Bowles added that the Buccaneers will likely add either a veteran or a practice squad quarterback. Only Mayfield and Daniels are on the 53-man roster with Easton Stick on the practice squad.