The Buccaneers may be heading into Week 6 with the same quarterback plan they’ve used the last two games, but Baker Mayfield’s recovery is still hanging over everything.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Mayfield is set to test his hand again as he works back from the injury. The hurdle is straightforward: grip and throwing strength.
If that test goes well, the timeline could start moving. If not, Tampa Bay may need to keep rolling with Jalon Daniels a little longer.
“Fully expect Baker Mayfield to test his ability to grip and throw the football today. Whether he can do that effectively is to be determined.
Jalon Daniels is expected to start vs. Steelers unless Mayfield recovers more quickly than expected.
Next game is at Carolina following the Steelers Sunday,” Stroud wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
That leaves Daniels in line to start against Pittsburgh unless Mayfield rebounds faster than expected. Mayfield had already been projected to miss several weeks, and nothing in this situation suggests the Buccaneers were ever expecting a quick turnaround. If he’s still struggling to handle the football, the team may decide he needs at least another week or two before he’s truly ready.
Daniels has already handled the job twice in Mayfield’s place, and Tampa Bay has split those two games at 1-1. His strongest showing came last week against the Dallas Cowboys, and he appears prepared to keep doing whatever the Buccaneers ask of him.
The Steelers won’t make it easy. TJ Watt is waiting on the other side, and Daniels will need to do the same things that helped him last week: keep drives alive and protect the football. If he can do that, Tampa Bay has a real shot to leave with another win - and Mayfield gets more time to finish his recovery.
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