As if the first half of Sunday night’s game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium couldn’t get any worse for the Bucs, Baker Mayfield suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. So, when Tampa Bay’s offense took the field for its first drive of the third quarter, it was backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater leading the way.

After falling behind Los Angeles 21-0 in the second quarter, Tampa Bay finally got something going offensively. Unsurprisingly, it was Mayfield himself leading the charge by picking up two third-down conversions with his legs. But at the end of one of them, he took a shot to his shoulder and after he ended the 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson, it was clear that he was in pain with his left arm dangling by his side.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and VP of sports medicine and performance Bobby Slater – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Mayfield immediately went into the injury tent on the sideline after the score and was checked out while the Rams went down the field quickly and got that touchdown back to go up 28-7. Always a fighter, though, Mayfield stuck it out, remaining in the game as the rest of the half unfolded. But it was clear that the shoulder was affecting him, and when it came time for a last-second Hail Mary attempt at the end of the half, his throw came up well short and as he let go of the ball, he went down in pain, once again holding his shoulder.

When the Bucs came out of the locker room to start the second half, the team announced that Mayfield was doubtful to return to the game. Not long after that, he was officially ruled out for the remainder of the game.

At the time of his injury, Mayfield was 9-of-19 for 41 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Of note, Mayfield previously suffered a serious injury to the same shoulder during his time with the Browns. In 2021, he tore his labrum and fractured his non-throwing shoulder, playing through it before eventually having it surgically repaired in January 2022.

Following the game, head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield has a sprained left shoulder and will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Bucs Can’t Afford To Be Without Baker Mayfield Going Forward

It’s been a rough go lately for the Bucs as a whole, and the offense has been a part of the struggles. But there’s no question that Tampa Bay needs Baker Mayfield, and any kind of long-term absence could severely threaten the team’s chances of winning the NFC South for the fifth straight year and making the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

With a third straight loss, the Bucs are set to fall to 6-5. They already entered Week 12 with only a half-game lead over the Panthers in the NFC South, and now the Panthers will have a chance to overtake them if they can beat the 49ers on Monday Night Football. But the worries go beyond this week.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay’s schedule does get lighter from Week 13 on, but there are two games against Carolina. Given the developments of recent weeks, those two games were already going to essentially be for the division title. If Mayfield is out long-term, it could put the Bucs in a very bad spot.

The next three games for Tampa Bay come at home against 3-8 Arizona, 2-9 New Orleans and 4-7 Atlanta. Meanwhile, Carolina does have a tough run of games with San Francisco and Los Angeles before a bye week. But if Mayfield is out in the coming weeks, it could spell trouble. While veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater has plenty of experience, it’s clear the offense is far more limited with him than it is with Mayfield.

This shoulder injury for Mayfield puts the health of the Bucs’ quarterback position into question for the first time in years, as they have been remarkably lucky in recent years. Mayfield hasn’t missed a start in his 2.5 years with Tampa Bay and before him, Tom Brady never missed a start over his three seasons with the team. Even before that, Jameis Winston went through the 2018 and 2019 seasons without missing games due to injury.

Stay tuned to PewterReport.com for further updates on Mayfield’s injury and his status for Week 13 as the week goes on.