Baker Mayfield in visible pain after thumb injury (1:00)Jenna Laine Sep 27, 2026, 07:53 PM ET Close Jenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Jenna is a former cheerleader at the University of South Florida and speaks to the consistency of the program as being one of the top best in the nation.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in his throwing arm in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, coach Todd Bowles said."He's gonna get an MRI tomorrow just to see exactly what inside is wrong with it, so we'll know tomorrow," Bowles said, adding that X-rays did not reveal a fracture but that's not definitive until further imaging. MRIs can show subtle hairline cracks, soft tissue damage and ligament tears that X-rays cannot. A timetable for recovery will be determined after that.

Mayfield's injury happened with 1:54 remaining, when his pass was intercepted by Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. The play happened on fourth-and-13, with Mayfield and the Bucs trying to climb out of a 20-16 deficit. He was under duress for several seconds and evaded multiple defenders as he scurried his way to the right sideline.

But as he threw the ball, he was hit by inside linebackers Blake Cashman."I thought he was going to go down but he kept staying alive," Cashman said. "I just tried to get a hit on the quarterback to affect the throw."Cashman pumped his fist triumphantly and proceeded to join his teammates in celebrating what was likely the game-clinching play, seemingly unaware of what was taking place on the ground. Mayfield remained down, writhing in pain as teammates and the training staff quickly gathered. He did not speak to reporters after the game but he left the locker room with his right hand wrapped in an ice bag."I was in shock.

It's tough," left tackle Tristan Wirfs said. "He's a competitor. He was trying to make a play at the end of the game. That's who he is.

That's who he's always been."Tight end Cade Otton added, "You just hurt for your brother, your friend. ... You just see how he fights for his teammates every single play. To be down like that - it sucks."Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen Mc Millan will also undergo an MRI tomorrow after injuring his left knee, a source told ESPN.

The source said it is the same knee he injured in camp. The test will determine the extent of the injury and if it's an aggravation of that issue or a new injury. Mc Millan had just returned to game action last week and was expected to play a much bigger role against Minnesota.

But on the Bucs' very first possession, Mayfield went to him on third-and-5, and was hit by Vikings safety Josh Metellus while attempting to catch a pass on a corner route. It is unclear if Mc Millan suffered the injury while pivoting his body or upon contact. He was able to limp off the field under his own power."Definitely some adversity for him and definitely gonna say a prayer for him.

I just hope he can get back to where he wants to be at and feel like himself again," wide receiver Ted Hurst III said."It's definitely - it's a sad thing, man," wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. said. "You never want to see anybody go down, especially guys that you're close with. I feel for both of those guys, as somebody who has been on the other side of that. My prayers are with them.

I've checked on both of them and I'm gonna continue to do that, continue to support them."Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels replaced Mayfield for the Buccaneers' final drive and threw an interception on a last-gasp pass. Bowles said that at this time, undrafted free agent out of Kansas whose preseason performance beat out veteran Jake Browning, would be the team's quarterback going forward if Mayfield cannot play."Jalon right now," Bowles said. "We haven't really gotten into it yet. We'll see what the MRI says tomorrow and then ...