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Baker Mayfield leaves game after writhing in pain on turf in Tampa Bay when thumb on throwing hand injured
By Armando Salguero
Published September 27, 2026
Baker Mayfield was trying to lead a fourth-quarterback comeback against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday when he found himself heaving a desperation fourth-down pass which got intercepted. And then something really bad happened.
As Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was cradling the interception, back up field Mayfield was on the ground literally screaming in pain.
He clearly injured the thumb on his throwing hand.
His THROWING hand, folks.
Baker Mayfield (6) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass in the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Oct. 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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The finger bent in a manner it should not.
After the game, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles announced Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb.
"He'll get an MRI tomorrow just to see exactly what inside is wrong," Bowles said. "We'll know more tomorrow."
The "know more" part will determine how much rather than if Mayfield suffered ligament damage. The tests will also determine if Mayfield will need surgery.
If Mayfield needs surgery, he's probably looking at a stint on the injured reserve list, which would require him to miss four games.
His return to play will be determined by how long it eventually takes him to regain his grip.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 11: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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Mayfield left the game after the injury. He walked to the Buccaneers' locker room to have the digit examined.
That included an X-Ray within the Raymond James Stadium medical facility.
The Bucs turned to backup quarterback Jalon Daniels to play the final two minutes of the game, down 23-16.
Daniels, an undrafted rookie who made the club as something of a surprise, could not author the comeback win. He threw an interception on the game's final play.
The Buccaneers are 0-3 and in trouble, especially if their starting quarterback's condition means he'll miss the next month of games.
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https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/baker-mayfield-leaves-game-writhing-pain-turf-tampa-bay-thumb-throwing-hand-injured