Bucs head coach Todd Bowles seemed confident that injured quarterback Baker Mayfield will be ready to start Sunday against his old team in Carolina. However, Mayfield did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through practice for the following reasons: rib pain, Bowles’ tone appears to have changed regarding the certainty that the quarterback will play Sunday.
“He wouldn’t have practiced today,” Bowles said. “I know he’s going to do everything he can to play. I’m not a doctor. I don’t know how Baker feels, so I don’t know how he would feel if he could play. I know he’s going to try to play.”
Bowles was asked if he thought Mayfield would be ready by Sunday if he had more time to rest and recover.
“We’ll have to see how he feels,” Bowles said. “I can’t answer that.”
“It hurts a lot, but it’s going to get better,” Mayfield said at a press conference Wednesday.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Mayfield said after his first post-game X-ray on Sunday, he underwent further testing of his ribs, which came back positive with “no cracks or fractures.”
Mayfield said his recovery and ability to play in Sunday’s game against his former team will depend more than anything on his pain tolerance.
“It’s one of those, you know, soft ones,” Mayfield said. “I’ve suffered rib injuries before, but just get some rest. As the week goes on, that always helps. Obviously, we didn’t exactly test today. More spirit on everyone. Give me some responsibility. But yeah, I’m just going to see how it goes… I haven’t tested it yet, so I need to relax. Especially by the time game time approaches, I’m pumping adrenaline. There is no doubt about that. Where we sit right now situationally.
“I’ll do everything I can to be there, that’s for sure. The division is on the line, the playoffs are on the line, and I’m going back to Carolina. Yes, I’ll give it my all.”
Baker Mayfield’s rib injury makes it difficult for him to pitch and hit.
![Bucks QB Baker Mayfield](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mayfield-Baker-Bucs-Saints-late-hit-300x200.jpg)
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Baker Mayfield hinted that throwing a football can be difficult because of the rotation, twisting, and torque movements, but it’s important to keep it loose during practice and games.
“It’s one of those things where you have to stay warm all the time,” Mayfield said. “Don’t be nervous. You should always be relaxed when doing hot packs or making sure to get extra work done on the side. [my rib injuries] It’s different, especially the quarterback has to rotate to throw, so he just has to be relaxed. ”
It’s another thing to play with sore ribs. But it’s different when he gets hit, gets fired, and falls to the ground with a rib injury. He admitted that he will wear a special flak jacket on Sunday for added protection.
“We’ll see what we can do. Probably Kevlar,” Mayfield said.
Bucks preparing Kyle Trask in case Baker Mayfield can’t start or finish
![Bucks Ok Dave Canales](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Canales-Dave-Kyle-Trask-Baker-Mayfield-Bucs-Ravens-300x200.jpg)
Bucs OC Dave Canales and QBs Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said backup quarterback Kyle Trask will do extra work at practice this week in case Baker Mayfield is unable to start or complete the game in Carolina due to a rib injury. Stated.
“We’re going to give him some more reps,” Bowles said. “He’s been preparing all year. If Baker feels sore tomorrow and Trask takes charge, we’ll go from there.”
Trask’s playing time in the regular season was very limited, with the bulk of his play-by-play coming in the Week 18 loss to Atlanta in 2022. He is serving as Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback this season after spending his first two years with the Bucs. He’s the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Tom Brady and veteran backup Blaine Gabbert.
More Bucks injury news
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said his two defensive starters, cornerback Carlton Davis III and outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, continue to trend well heading into Sunday’s game at Carolina. suggested. Davis missed the game against the Saints due to a concussion and has not yet been released from concussion protocol. Barrett suffered a groin injury late in the win over the Jaguars and missed the game against New Orleans.