Baker Mayfield (thumb) remains out of practice

Daniels added 39 yards on the ground but lost a grand total of 42 yards via five sacks. Despite making a handful of big plays, Daniels’ down-to-down inaccuracy was the storyline of this game. He routinely threw passes behind Emeka Egbuka, who only caught seven passes despite seeing a whopping 16 targets on the day. Daniels also overthrew Egbuka on a long touchdown pass that could have changed the course of this game. Baker Mayfield hasn’t resumed throwing yet, meaning Daniels will likely get at least one more start. Averaging just 167 passing yards and one passing touchdown per game, Daniels will be a low-end QB2 for his Week 7 matchup versus Carolina.

Mayfield didn’t practice this week, but according to Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles he threw on Monday and was pushing to play before his “thumb swelled up on him.” It seems like Mayfield is trending in the right direction and that he could return against the Panthers in Week 7 if the swelling is no longer an issue. Jalon Daniels is starting for Tampa Bay again in Week 6 against the Steelers.

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles gets another tick in the obfuscation column. On Wednesday, Bowles told reporters that Mayfield has not resumed throwing yet. Today, Palmer tells us that Mayfield “was pushing hard to play,” and, perhaps briefly, resumed throwing on Monday. Apparently, his thumb reacted poorly. Palmer adds that Mayfield is “getting better,” but that does not necessarily mean he will be able to play next week. Stay tuned.

It’ll be the Jalon Daniels show again. Mayfield did not practice at any point this week. Todd Bowles tried to tell us that it was too early to tell earlier today; it wasn’t. We’ll need to see Mayfield on the practice field next week before we think he has a real shot to play against the Panthers in Week 7.

Mayfield has already been ruled out for Week 6’s game against the Steelers. After being a DNP in practice all week, Mayfield could still be another week away from returning. It was reported on Wednesday that he is still unable to grip/throw a football, so this will be a situation to keep an eye on when the Bucs begin prepping for next week’s game.

Mayfield did not practice today and is a safe bet to miss Week 6 as he continues to work his way back from the dislocated thumb he suffered in Week 3. The fact that he can’t even throw a football right now, let alone participate in practice, suggests Mayfield could be out beyond just Week 6. Jalon Daniels will start on Sunday versus the Steelers. Daniels has been held well under 200 passing yards in both of his starts, but he does at least have 78 rushing yards in those contests. His output as a runner will keep him in the QB2 mix for Week 6.

Mayfield is unlikely to suit up this week against the Steelers, leaving Jalon Daniels to get another start for Tampa. Daniel last week in a win over Dallas completed 19-of-25 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, rushing for 23 yards. Daniels ranked tenth in EPA per drop back on the week and 11th in drop back success rate. His rushing makes Daniels a viable superflex option this week against the Steelers.

Daniels watched from the sideline as the Cowboys took the opening possession for quick touchdown drive, responding in splendid fashion by piecing together the longest Buccaneers drive since 2007 to knot the game at seven at the start of the second quarter. A last-minute Brandon Aubrey field goal at the end of the first half sent the Buccaneers to the break down by three but two early touchdowns after the break gave the Buccaneers a lead they would not relinquish. Running back Bucky Irving broke free for a 72-yard gain on the first play of the third quarter and Emeka Egbuka would punch it in on a 14-yard rush the following play. A Dak Prescott interception on the subsequent possession gave the ball right back to Daniels and the Buccaneers. Another explosive play, this time a 64-yard, catch-and-run dime to Tez Johnson got them immediately back into scoring position. Daniels picks up his first professional win in his second career start while the Buccaneers improve to 1-4, miraculously only 1.5-games back of the division lead. Daniels will be a shaky QB2 when the Bucs host the Steelers in Week 6, assuming he gets at least one more start for the injured Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield will miss another game due to the dislocated thumb injury he suffered in Week 3. His absence badly impacts the offense as a whole. Winfield’s absence in the secondary will also make it tough for a Tampa Bay defense tasked with slowing the Cowboys’ top-tier passing attack.

This was just a formality as Mayfield is expected to miss between three and six weeks with a dislocated thumb. Jalon Daniels will make his second start tomorrow against the Cowboys. Daniels struggled through the air in Week 4, throwing for just 148 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He did, however, add 55 yards on the ground. His legs will keep him in the QB2 mix for Week 5.