Buccaneers expect Baker Mayfield to practice on Wednesday

Published October 19, 2026 12:48 PM Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield missed his third straight game on Sunday, but the team is hoping that his absence from the lineup will be ending soon. Mayfield’s dislocated right thumb has also kept him off of the practice field since he was injured in Week 3, but he tested his ability to throw the ball last week and head coach Todd Bowles said at a Monday press conference that the current plan is for Mayfield to be involved in practice this week. “He’s supposed to practice Wednesday,” Bowles said. “We’re gonna take a good look at him there, and we’ll kind of evaluate him during the week and see how he does.”Jalon Daniels has started while Mayfield has been on the bench and the Bucs have gone 1-2 in those games. Bowles said the team will construct a game plan that takes into account the uncertainty about who will start in Carolina. “I think you have to,” Bowles said. “Both will be in the meetings, obviously. Both will be in the meetings and we’ll see how the week goes before we decide who it is.Daniels was 22-of-43 for 164 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Steelers.