The 2026 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is, simply put, not going well. While they had a big win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, they followed it up with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home in Week 6.
Now sitting at 1-5, the Buccaneers are set to face off against the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers in Week 7. They are hoping that Baker Mayfield will come back as well.
However, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, the Buccaneers are not certain if Mayfield will play this week, as Todd Bowles revealed the team’s QB plan for practice this week that indicates Mayfield might not play this week.
Buccaneers get shaky Baker Mayfield update on Week 7 playing odds
“Bowles said Wednesday will be important for evaluating Baker Mayfield and his thumb but they’ll plan as if Jalon Daniels is starting again in terms of initial game-planning,” Auman reports.
With the 1-5 Buccaneers set to face the 3-2 Panthers in Week 7 in Carolina, it appears that Jalon Daniels will make another start.
Mayfield hasn’t been ruled out yet, and there’s even a chance he plays this week. But with the team planning to operate as if Daniels is the starter during practice, it seems like Daniels might be in line for another start.
Mayfield is dealing with a tricky injury to his throwing hand, as his thumb needs to be fully healed to grip the ball properly and make the throws needed. For the last few weeks, that hasn’t been possible.
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However, it seems that for the first time, Mayfield has a real chance of playing this week. His status is still very much up in the air, but there’s a chance Mayfield suits up for the first time since Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Daniels has gone 1-2 in his three starts, throwing for a total of 501 yards, three touchdowns, five interceptions, and running for 126 yards with no touchdowns so far this season.
It might be another week before Mayfield comes back, in which case the undrafted free agent rookie QB would get one more shot at starting this season.
The Buccaneers might end up getting Mayfield back this week. But it’s still very much up in the air based on this update from Bowles.
