Baker Mayfield expected back at practice Wednesday; Panthers start undecided

Baker Mayfield is expected to practice Wednesday for the first time since dislocating the thumb on his throwing hand in Week 3. Tampa Bay will use that workout and the rest of the week to decide whether he can start Sunday at Carolina, coach Todd Bowles said Monday in the Buccaneers' October 19 update.

Mayfield has missed three games since the injury against Minnesota. Returning to practice would give the coaches a chance to assess whether he can grip the ball firmly and throw with his usual velocity. Bowles has not named the Week 7 starter.

The Buccaneers will prepare both Mayfield and rookie Jalon Daniels while the decision remains open. Daniels would make his fourth consecutive start if Mayfield cannot return. Field Level Media also reported Monday's practice plan.

Tampa Bay went 1-2 in Daniels' three starts, most recently losing 26-19 in overtime to Pittsburgh after taking a 16-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Including his snaps at the end of the Minnesota game, Daniels has completed 60 of 98 passes for 501 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. He has added 126 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Sunday's trip to Charlotte is Tampa Bay's first division game of the season, against the NFC South-leading Panthers. Bowles said those meetings with teams ahead of the Buccaneers are critical to their chances of getting back into the division race. Mayfield's expected practice return is a step toward that game; his playing status will depend on the week's evaluation.

Earlier reporting: Friday, October 16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles ruled out quarterback Baker Mayfield on Friday for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Greg Auman of The Athletic and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times both posted the decision from Bowles' Friday press conference, along with safety Antoine Winfield Jr. being out.

What is confirmed

Mayfield (right thumb) is out, and Jalon Daniels will make his third straight start. Auman wrote Friday that Daniels is definitely starting Sunday. Bowles said everyone other than Mayfield and Winfield is in play, with running back Sean Tucker a pregame decision.

Bowles gave little on Mayfield's progress. Mayfield was expected to throw after Wednesday's practice, but Bowles offered "no more update than the usual: not ready to go." Asked whether he was encouraged, Bowles said he would be "encouraged when he has his helmet out there at practice." Asked whether next week is in play, he said it is "too early to tell."

Bowles said when Mayfield got hurt that the thumb would cost at least three weeks. Sunday is the third game he misses, so Week 7 is the first realistic return point, and Friday's answer leaves it open.

Why it matters for RSO rosters

Mayfield's Week 6 status is now settled, so there is nothing left to wait on for Sunday lineups. The bigger question is Week 7. Mayfield has not practiced in a helmet yet, and Bowles tied any optimism to that step.

For Daniels owners, this keeps the window open for at least one more start. Bucs pass catchers stay in lineups on their usual merits, with Daniels throwing to them for a third week.

Tucker's pregame tag matters for Bucs backfield owners. Check his status before Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

What to do now

Bench Mayfield for Week 6 in every format, and start Daniels only if you need a quarterback in a two-QB or superflex league. Do not cut Mayfield. The thumb carries a timeline of weeks, and he was set to try throwing this week.

Watch next Wednesday's practice report. If Mayfield is on the field in a helmet, a Week 7 return is live. If he is not, plan for another Daniels start and set lineups accordingly.