Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will return Sunday at the Carolina Panthers after a three-game absence, coach Todd Bowles said Friday. Bowles said Mayfield felt good and had a normal week of practice, so he looks ready to go.
The Bucs will be without their top target, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka suffered a concussion and a foot injury in the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He never left the game to be checked for a concussion, and symptoms did not appear until he returned to the building this week, when he was placed in the concussion protocol. Bowles said the team could not pinpoint the play, which came in the fourth quarter when Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen's shoulder collided with Egbuka's helmet on an incomplete pass. The NFL uses independent spotters each week, so a player can be assessed even without reported symptoms.
Starting right tackle Luke Goedeke is also out. He suffered a calf injury in Week 6, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and returned Friday in a limited capacity. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will also sit. He has missed the past two games with a rib fracture and practiced in a limited role this week.
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who missed the past three weeks with a quad injury, and running back Sean Tucker, who is dealing with a quad issue, carry no injury designation.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing