Buccaneers revealed Baker Mayfield's return timeline after QB's thumb injury

The Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million extension prior to the start of the 2026 NFL season. Despite the team's 0-3 record at the time, they anticipated the star quarterback would remain on the field throughout the campaign. However, the season has taken a turn for the worse after Mayfield suffered a thumb injury late in a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The quarterback left the game in significant pain after suffering a dislocated right thumb on a fourth-down interception. Further testing was necessary to determine the full extent of the injury and Mayfield's return timeline. On Monday, head coach Todd Bowles provided an update, stating that Mayfield would miss at least three weeks.

The silver lining was that the MRI revealed no ligament damage or fractures, but the Buccaneers will have to rely on rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels during this period. Daniels, an undrafted rookie from Kansas, impressed in the preseason, moving up the depth chart from QB4 to Mayfield's backup spot. However, the next three weeks will undoubtedly be a test for the young quarterback.