“Everything that we want is there.” After one of their worst starts to the season, Baker Mayfield made one thing clear. The Bucs meant business. But the same drive to get a win for his team in Week 3 forced Mayfield down a road that put his team in jeopardy. 

Instead of bringing home a victory, they lost 23-16 to Minnesota, but that wasn’t the worst part of Sunday Night Football for the NFC South squad. Mayfield was forced off the field with an injury to his throwing hand. 

“#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield appears to injury his right thumb after this INT to allow the #Vikings to seal a win,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

The injury happened late in the fourth quarter, with just two minutes left on the clock and the Bucs trailing by four points. On a fourth-and-13 when Mayfield decided to go for it, it all came crashing down. 

You see, the Bucs’ O-line has done an incredibly poor job at protecting Mayfield this season. So far this season, he’s been sacked 13 times, with 6 of those coming against Brian Flores’ defense. And this time, during his injury, that same O-line failed to protect Mayfield. 

While Mayfield couldn’t find a target with time in the pocket, the defense managed to find a way through. Just seconds later, Mayfield found himself being pushed back all the way to his own 10-yard line, dodging three defenders and trying to get the ball away. 

The throw was an interception to Andrew Ginkel, but there was a more serious problem for the QB. Mayfield could be heard screaming in pain during the live FOX broadcast, as his right thumb bent awkwardly. He stayed down after the play as the medical staff attended to him.

The next clip that fans saw was Mayfield heading to the locker room holding on to his right fist. He went to get an X-Ray within the Raymond James Stadium medical facility.

The full diagnosis will come after the MRI scheduled for the following day. However, for now, “Todd Bowles said Bucs QB Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb and will undergo an MRI,” as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

The NFL community immediately banded together to support the QB, who was trying to bring the team back to winning ways this season. “Prayers up for Baker Mayfield 🙏🏾” wrote former Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin. 

While it looks like a dislocation, the seriousness of the injury became apparent during the replay, as his thumb appeared to bend backwards, very likely making it a thumb UCL. While a partial or a full tear could put Mayfield out for 1-4 weeks, things only get more troubling from there.

According to injury expert Dr. Jesse Morse, “Fracture – 2-6 weeks (specifics, surgery). This would be throwing thumb, which impacts accuracy and velocity. We should know more tomorrow after the MRI/CT. There’s a possibility he plays in Week 4 if this is just a mild sprain.” 

For the Bucs, more important than the timeline for his return would be the severity of his tear. Mayfield has already struggled with his accuracy, marked by a 63.6% completion rate across his career, and so far this season, he has thrown two interceptions. With an O-line that already struggles with the pass rush, an accuracy problem is the last thing the team needs. 

That’s why one fan wrote, “🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.” Another fan joined them, sending a direct message for Mayfield that said, “Get well soon. Bucs aren’t going anywhere without him.” 

“@StevenCheah devastating,” wrote another. “Get well soon. Bucs season lowkey over,” a fan wrote.

Interestingly, the team’s season might not be over. Just a few years ago, while playing for the Browns, Mayfield had a partially torn labrum, wearing a brace in his left shoulder and playing through that injury. When a similar left shoulder injury appeared back in 2025, he missed very little time with it. 

Throughout his NFL career, Mayfield has missed a total of four games specifically due to injury. But looks like this time some more games are going to be added to the ‘missed’ list.

The timing of losing Mayfield compounds the Buccaneers’ woes even more. After signing a deal worth $165 million earlier in the season, only for the QB to struggle to find a solid start to the season. So far, Mayfield has managed 398 passing yards and two scrimmage touchdowns, failing to get his team a win in three games.

In the aftermath of Mayfield’s injury, the team brought on undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels to hold the reins in Mayfield’s absence for the last 28 seconds. The Vikings sealed a 23-16 victory after intercepting Daniels’ Hail Mary attempt.

Already, Tampa Bay is in a tricky spot, with a disappointing 0-3 win-loss record this time. With Mayfield now sidelined, they might lose their lifeline to script a turnaround this season.