The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t going anywhere without 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield this season, so when he needs a little time off during the week to recover from whatever punishment he’s endured, there’s probalby always going to be a little bit of agita among the fanbase.
Such was the case this week as Mayfield was dealing with a biceps injury but returned to practice on Friday ahead of an unbeaten showdown with the visiting Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.
“Baker Mayfield is back throwing again,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on September 26. “Bit of relief there for Bucs as he works through a biceps injury. Logan Hall also back practicing today, so he’s back in play for Sunday.”
How Mayfield looks throwing the ball these next few days will be huge in determining his availability against the Eagles but common sense tells us Mayfield would move Heaven and Earth to be on the field Sunday.
While Mayfield was still listed as questionable, his availability didn’t seem to be in doubt from the perspective of head coach Todd Bowles.
“Chris Godwin & Tristan Wirfs were both full participants today and listed as questionable for Sunday,” Tampa Bay Fox 13 TV reporter Sean Barie wrote on X. “Baker Mayfield also listed as ‘questionable’ but Todd Bowles said he ‘should be okay for Sunday.’ ”
Buccaneers Have Other Major Injury Concerns
The Buccaneer have had what seems like a rolling list of injury concerns from the moment they met for training camp at the end of July.
That starts with Godwin and Wirfs, who have yet to play a game this year — godwin actually hasn’t played a game since Week 7 of the 2024 season when he suffered a dislocated left ankle against the Baltimore Ravens.
Wirfs had to undergo minor surgery on his knee during training camp but is reported to be practicing pain free headed into the game against the Eagles.
Starting wide receiver Jalen McMillan suffered a severely sprained neck in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 16 and will miss the first 8 games, at least, after scoring 7 touchdowns in the last 5 games to close out last season.
Starting guard Cody Mauch is out for the season after he injured his knee in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Starting right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke is on injured reserve after hurting his foot against the Texans.
Then, finally, the biggest blow — starting wide receiver and NFL All-Pro Mike Evans will miss multiple games with a hamstring injury suffered in a Week 3 win over the New York Jets. It’s the second season in a row Evans will miss time because of an injured hamstring.
Mayfield, Bucs Have Already Made NFL History
The Buccaneers and Mayfield have already made NFL history just 3 games into the 2025 regular season.
Tampa Bay’s 3-0 start has come with 3 consecutive fourth quarter comebacks, making them the first team to start their season with 3 fourth quarter rallies since the AFL-NFL Merger in 1970.
One downside? The Buccaneers’ 3 wins have come against teams that are a combined 1-8.
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