Baker Mayfield injury update: Buccaneers QB suffer shoulder sprain vs. Rams

Teddy Ricketson

•

Jake Mozarsky

•
Baker Mayfield injury update: Buccaneers QB suffer shoulder sprain vs. Rams image

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the top teams in the NFC with star quarterback Baker Mayfield leading the way, but on Sunday, the quarterback injured his left shoulder on the last play of the first half. The quarterback was ruled out after suffering the injury. 

Mayfield injured his shoulder earlier in the game, and on the last play of the first half, he was in pain after throwing a Hail Mary that was intercepted. 

If Mayfield misses time, this is a critical loss for a Tampa Bay team with Super Bowl aspirations. Here's the latest on Mayfield's status for tonight's game and beyond.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Baker Mayfield injury updates

Mayfield was ruled out for the rest of the game, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Head coach Todd Bowles said after the game that Baker Mayfield has a shoulder sprain and will get an MRI on Monday. If Mayfield is out for a while, Bowles said that Bridgewater would be the next man up. Bowles added that, with the reps the veteran quarterback has been getting, he is confident in his ability to lead the team if needed. The head coach said that if Mayfield is sidelined for an extended period, the team would also "call up" Connor Bazelak.

Bowles said that Mayfield hurt his shoulder earlier in the game, but that the quarterback said he was fine. The head coach added that Mayfield aggravated the injury on the final play of the first half. 

At halftime, Mayfield was doubtful to return for tonight's contest vs. The Rams with a left shoulder injury. He returned to the sideline in street clothes, with his left arm in a sling.

Teddy Bridgewater took Mayfield's place. The starting quarterback completed 9-of-19 passes for 41 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions in the first half before leaving with an injury.

This section will be updated. 

Buccaneers QB depth chart

PositionPlayer
1Baker Mayfield -- OUT
2Teddy Bridgewater
3Connor Bazelak -- practice squad

If Mayfield is fully healthy, he will be the Buccaneers' starter going forward. If he needs time to recover, Bowles said that he is confident going with Bridgewater under center. The veteran quarterback finished 8-15 passing for 62 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions after taking over for the injured Mayfield in Week 12. 

Bazelak is a rookie who spent his collegiate career between Missouri, Indiana and Bowling Green. He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and has spent the entire season so far on the practice squad. 

What happened to Baker Mayfield?

Mayfield went down grasping his shoulder/arm area as time expired in the first half.

#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is in serious discomfort at the end of the first half.

It's his arm/shoulder. Looks painful. Pic.twitter.com/wUhazQ1nuC

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 24, 2025

The quarterback looked to be in pain earlier in the game. After throwing a touchdown pass to Tez Johnson, the quarterback went to the blue medical tent with his arm being the point of concern.

Earlier in the drive, Mayfield took contact from a few Rams defenders.

The quarterback has dealt with shoulder injuries in the past.

Baker Mayfield shoulder injury history

Mayfield’s most consequential injury occurred early in the 2021 season while he was quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In Week 2, during a game against the Houston Texans, Mayfield threw an interception and subsequently injured his left shoulder while attempting to make the tackle on the returner, Texans safety Justin Reid. The initial injury was a dislocation, but it was later diagnosed as a partially torn labrum.

Despite the significant nature of the injury, Mayfield, known for his competitive toughness, insisted on playing through the pain for the remainder of the season. He began wearing a shoulder harness for protection, which was intended to stabilize the joint and prevent further damage, but the injury clearly began to affect his mechanics and effectiveness, leading to a noticeable drop in his statistical performance throughout the year.

The situation dramatically worsened in Week 6 of that same season during a game against the Arizona Cardinals. Mayfield suffered a strip-sack from J.J. Watt, landing awkwardly and severely aggravating the existing injury. This hit not only caused the shoulder to dislocate again, but scans revealed the damage was far more extensive, involving a complete labrum tear and, critically, a fracture in his humerus bone (the upper arm bone that fits into the shoulder socket). He continued to play until the team was eliminated from playoff contention, at which point the Browns ruled him out for the season finale so he could undergo surgery.

In January 2022, Mayfield successfully underwent surgery to repair the torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, which carried an expected recovery timeline of four to six months.

MORE NFL WEEK 12:

Buccaneers remaining schedule

Here is a look at the Buccaneers' remaining schedule as they look to make a playoff push.

WeekOpponent
13vs. Cardinals
14vs. Saints
15vs. Falcons
16at Panthers
17at Dolphins
18vs. Panthers

Baker Mayfield stats

 2025

  • 359 pass attempts
  • 225 completions
  • 2,406 yards
  • 18 passing TDs
  • 5 INTs
  • 31 carries
  • 216 yards
  • 1 rushing TD

Week 12 vs. Rams

  • 19 pass attempts
  • 9 completions
  • 41 yards
  • 1 TD 
  • 2 INTs
  • 4 carries 
  • 19 yards
Content Producer

Contributing Writer

Staff Writer