Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield returns to practice ahead of Panthers game
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The gist
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield returned to practice after missing three games with a dislocated thumb.
Tampa Bay is 1-5 and faces first-place Carolina in its division.
Background
Baker Mayfield is the Buccaneers' quarterback, who had started 57 consecutive games since joining Tampa Bay in 2023 before dislocating the thumb on his throwing hand late in the Week Three game against Minnesota. Rookie Jalon Daniels started the past three games in his place. The Bucs entered Week 7 at 1-5, and a matchup with the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers — Mayfield's former team — offered a chance to turn the season around. Head coach Todd Bowles has stressed how important it is to have the quarterback taking mental reps and running the game plan.
How it unfolded
- Oct 6, 2026The Buccaneers signed first-year cornerback Brandon Johnson to their practice squad after the Pittsburgh Steelers signed cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting off it to their active roster.
- Oct 16, 2026Head coach Todd Bowles ruled Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. out against the Steelers; Mayfield missed his third straight game and rookie Jalon Daniels started again.
- Oct 20, 2026The Buccaneers lost to the Steelers in overtime at Raymond James Stadium, dropping to 1-5.
- Oct 21, 2026Winfield Jr. returned to practice in a non-contact jersey after cracking a rib against Green Bay in Week Four; Mayfield made an encouraging return to practice as the team evaluated him.
- Oct 22, 2026The Bucs prepared for their Week 7 game against the Panthers, with the offense possibly changing again as Mayfield practiced.
- Oct 23, 2026With the trade deadline a few weeks away, the Bucs finalized Week 7 plans and weighed their deadline options.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Bowles said having the quarterback take mental reps and run the game plan is extremely important, and that Winfield Jr. must practice without a non-contact jersey before returning.
Still unverified
Whether Mayfield will play in Week 7 was not settled; he returned to practice and the team was evaluating him. Whether Winfield Jr. will play Sunday against the Panthers remained a question mark until he can shed the non-contact jersey.