Todd Bowles said Baker Mayfield will be able to play this week despite taking a shot to the ribs late in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. X-rays negative, he’s sore but will be able to play.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 1, 2024
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield isn’t feeling great, but true to form, he’s set to play anyway in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Mayfield was injured in Week 17’s loss to the New Orleans Saints when he took a late hit from New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu during a two-point conversion attempt late in the contest. Mayfield told reporters on the podium after the game that his ribs “didn’t feel great,” but per Greg Auman of FOX Sports, it’s looking as if he will start against the Panthers nonetheless.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Monday to media that Mayfield’s x-rays for broken ribs came up negative, but that the quarterback is still very sore from the injury. How his practice schedule will be affected due to the injury remains to be seen.
Some in the Bucs organization took issue to the hit that injured Mayfield. His left tackle in Tristan Wirfs objected to the hit, telling reporters that he was tired of similar hits from the New Orleans’ Saints specifically:
#Bucs T Tristan Wirfs says he’s tired of the #Saints taking late hits on QB Baker Mayfield. Sunday it was Tyrann Mathieu who bruised Mayfield’s ribs and was flagged for roughing the passer. pic.twitter.com/FLhlUOUoEb
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 1, 2024
Mayfield will get another crack at the Panthers in Week 18, a team he played for and then was subsequently released from in 2022. The first time around, Mayfield helped the Bucs defeat the Panthers 21-18.
