Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is in a tough position as we enter Week 13.
Dealing with an AC joint strain suffered in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, Baker was forced to sit out the second half and was seen in a sling.
Now, there are doubts over whether or not Baker will play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and considering the precarious position Tampa Bay is in, losing four of their last five and having little margin for error in the division with the 6-6 Carolina Panthers behind them, Mayfield is between a rock and a hard place.
He can play, possibly not at 100 percent, to maybe help his team win, or he can sit out, get healthy, and allow Teddy Bridgewater to take over.
“Every game in my eyes is a must-win playoff scenario, but understanding that if I sit one game out and that provides me to be healthier for down the stretch, that's how I'm going to look at it,” Mayfield said. “I have to be smart with that. Understanding that our sights are still set on the playoffs, but to get there, we have to win these games and especially the NFC matchups.
"So, got to look at it that way and it's kind of a double-edged sword, but we'll see how it goes.”
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Should Mayfield play in Week 13?
That's the million-dollar question, and it will be easier to answer later in the week when Mayfield practices, because that will tell us a lot.
With Bucky Irving set to return and Chris Godwin getting healthier, the Buccaneers are getting weapons back, so if it is Bridgewater who starts, he will have multiple avenues to work with inside the offense.
Still with a handful of games left, the last thing Tampa Bay wants is to put Baker out on the field not at 100 percent, and his shoulder gets injured, and he's lost for the year. So, it's a delicate balancing act, given their playoff position, or a double-edged sword if you will.
Risk Baker for all the marbles, or allow Bridgewater to be at the helm for a potentially playoff-deciding game.
More Buccaneers news:
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- Where is Shilo Sanders? Lack of new NFL team news for Shedeur's brother leaves fans waiting for update
- Bucky Irving fantasy advice after grim Week 13 workload update from Buccaneers OC
- Buccaneers offer confusing injury update on Baker Mayfield with Teddy Bridgewater QB decision looming