Baker Mayfield Expected to Miss Three Weeks With Dislocated Thumb

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb during Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks after suffering a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand, coach Todd Bowles announced Monday. The injury occurred with 1:54 remaining in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings when Mayfield was hit by linebacker Blake Cashman while attempting a fourth-and-13 pass. An MRI confirmed the dislocation but showed no damage to the ligaments or tendons.

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will replace Mayfield as the starter, becoming the first Buccaneers rookie to start at quarterback since Jameis Winston in 2015. Daniels, who went 0-for-3 in relief on Sunday, previously completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown during the preseason. The team currently has only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, with Easton Stick residing on the practice squad.

Mayfield’s injury ends a streak of 54 consecutive regular-season starts for the franchise. Before the injury, the Buccaneers fell to an 0-3 record for the first time since 2014. Through three games, Mayfield has thrown two touchdowns and leads the NFL with 13 sacks taken. Despite the minimum three-week timeline, the team plans to keep Mayfield on the active roster rather than placing him on injured reserve, pending the pace of his recovery.