It's midway through the week, and we still don't know who will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starting quarterback in Week 13.
Mayfield was injured in Sunday night's loss to the Rams, suffering a sprained AC joint in his non-throwing arm. His status is totally up in the air, and the best the Bucs had to offer was vague clarity on Baker's injury situation, with nothing set in stone.
"(The pain) is there, it's decreasing for sure, it's a pain tolerance and management, so we'll see how it goes through the week and go from there. I've been in this spot before, and if it will hinder how I play, I probably won't go, but I won't know that until later in the week with getting practice reps," Mayfield said.
Wednesday was Mayfield's first media presence since the injury, so fans have been left in the dark since his MRI on Monday. While this news isn't ideal, it could be worse.
The Panthers lost on Monday Night Football, keeping the Bucs ' game lead in the NFC South intact, and with Tampa Bay's upcoming schedule, it may be best for him to sit out a week.
The Bucs play the 3-8 Cardinals, followed by the 2-9 Saints, and the 4-7 Falcons, the next three weeks. The last thing the team needs is Baker out longer than he needs to be, and it seems Mayfield and Todd Bowles agree.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield said if he sits one game out, but it makes him healthier down the stretch, he has to be smart about that “Every game in my eyes, is a must win playoff scenario, but understanding that, you know, if I sit one game out and that provides me to be healthier…
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 26, 2025
To go along with that mindset, Bowles said backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will get most of the first-team reps this week, which will not only let Mayfield rest but also prep Bridgewater if he needs to play. If Mayfield isn't good to go, expect a big run game from the Bucs offense, especially with Bucky Irving potentially returning.
#Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles says Teddy Bridgewater will get most of the starters’ reps this week but Baker Mayfield remains in play to start against the #AZCardinals Sunday depending on how he’s feeling by the end of the week.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 26, 2025
What is the Buccaneers' gameplan if Baker Mayfield can't play in Week 13?
The Cardinals are middle of the pack in rush defense, but have been pitiful lately. Arizona averages 142 rushing yards per game allowed over the last three games, which is bottom 10 in the league. Another reason the Bucs may rely heavily on the run is a lack of confidence in Bridgewater.
Through one half of relief on Sunday, he completed eight of fifteen passes for 62 yards and was sacked twice. Entering Week 12, Bridgewater hadn't completed a pass since 2022 as a Miami Dolphin. He's bounced around the league throughout his career and never found a long-term home.
Most fans likely assumed he retired after watching Bridgewater coach him at his high-school alma mater to a Division 3A title victory, before being suspended from the team. Even with past controversies, Bridgewater remains a below-average aging backup quarterback, and fans will be wishing Mayfield recovers quickly if he sits out this weekend.