Barring setbacks, Mayfield expected to start for Buccaneers - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — Barring any setbacks, the expectation is that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will return Sunday after a three-week absence due to a dislocated right thumb suffered in Week 3. The Bucs, currently sitting at 1-5, begin divisional play at the Carolina Panthers (3-2).

Mayfield was a full participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practices and the Bucs' communications staff even delayed its weekly quarterback media availability from Wednesday to Thursday to get a better sense of the team's direction. That's when Mayfield walked in, speaking publicly for the first time since suffering the injury.

Mayfield said he felt «very confident» in his ability to grip the ball and that while there was some degree of tendon and ligament damage, he believes that with rest and giving the wound time to heal (he did not undergo surgery but the dislocation created a wound that required stitches) he has «gotten to a place where it's strong enough to be able to play» and «feels good.»

Mayfield has been practicing with a specially-made glove on his right hand that has pad on the backside of the thumb to protect it from bending backwards again. It contains metal for reinforcement.

«I mean, truly when you're throwing with a glove, you got to get used to it. Just changing your release points. Can't grip it as hard because it'll stick to the glove. Different things like that. So just getting a lot of reps, getting practice with it, getting used to it and it feels fine.»

The team's equipment staff sought out of the Tampa Bay Rays for help as it was something they'd done previously for an athlete. They went through different options until Mayfield found something he was comfortable with. He said that after the initial