Baker Mayfield’s recovery from a dislocated right thumb might take longer than previously expected.
Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles initially announced that Mayfield should be back after missing three weeks with the injury on his throwing hand, but that might be the best-case scenario, ESPN reported Sunday.
Buccaneers’ absence could stretch six weeks, depending on how long it takes him to fully grip the ball, per ESPN.
Tampa Bay does not plan to put Mayfield on injured reserve — where he’d miss a minimum of four games — even if his recovery takes longer than expected.
Mayfield was injured in the Bucs’ Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings when he dislocated his thumb after hitting it on the follow-through of an interception he threw.
An MRI revealed no ligament damage to Mayfield’s thumb, which would have limited his timeline to return. He was ruled out of Tampa Bay’s Week 4 game against the Green Bay Packers.
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