Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a gruesome shoulder injury last week that, at the time, looked like it might end his season. However, the former first-overall pick will try and play through the pain, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the quarterback will play against the Arizona Cardinals.
Baker Mayfield Injury Update: Buccaneers QB Expected to Play Against Cardinals
Even if this injury keeps Baker Mayfield from being 100%, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need him in the lineup. After a hot start to the season, Todd Bowles’ squad has dropped four of its last five and currently sits just a half-game ahead of the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. Mayfield is no longer playing MVP-caliber football like he was earlier in the season, but he remains one of the game’s better quarterbacks and has done a remarkable job of dealing with the absurd amount of injuries on this team.
So far on the season, Baker Mayfield has started in all 11 games while completing 62.7% of his passes for 2,406 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Should he miss time, Tampa Bay will turn to veteran Teddy Bridgewater. The former first-round pick closed out last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and didn’t look too good, completing just eight of his 15 attempts for 62 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions while taking two sacks.
Mayfield and the Buccaneers will face off against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. After starting the season 2-0, the Carindals now find themselves with a 3-8 record and backup quarterback turned starter Jacoby Brissett under center. Tampa Bay needs to keep winning to stay ahead of the Panthers, so hopefully Baker Mayfield can overcome this injury and deliver a win for his team.
