Baker Mayfield has become the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the past few seasons, both for his terrific playmaking ability at quarterback and his leadership skills. Mayfield's hot start in 2025 helped the Buccaneers build an early advantage in the NFC South.
As Tampa Bay moves into the stretch run of the regular season, though, it may be without its star quarterback. Mayfield left the field in a Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, injuring his non-throwing shoulder on the last play of the first half.
After quarterback was ruled out for the remainder of Week 12, which was a 34-7 loss for Tampa Bay, MRI results on Monday revealed that Mayfield has a low-grade sprain in his left shoulder, which is positive news. With the Buccaneers still in playoff contention, will Mayfield be able to return anytime soon?
Here's the latest on Mayfield's return timeline, including how he injured his shoulder and who would step in at quarterback in his potential absence.
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What happened to Baker Mayfield?
On the final play of the first half of "Sunday Night Football" against the Rams, Mayfield was not hit, but attempted a long pass before falling to the ground in pain. He grabbed at his left shoulder area.
Baker Mayfield is clearly in a lot of pain with that left shoulder
— Aggregate Sports (@AggregateSports) November 24, 2025
#Buccaneers #RamsVsBucs #NFLRedZone #GameDayEnergy pic.twitter.com/c2UmfuYKrd
Earlier in the game, Mayfield had gone to the medical tent for an injury to his left shoulder, but he returned. But after the final play of the first half, Mayfield left and did not return.
Baker Mayfield had to go to the medical tent after throwing this touchdown:pic.twitter.com/Uwh3jfqZU3
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) November 24, 2025
There was also a moment where Mayfield took a hit to the left shoulder area when tackled by multiple Rams defenders.
Baker Mayfield -
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 24, 2025
Left arm is hanging but not seeing a ton at the left arm/shoulder.
Curious if he reinjured his oblique or lat as he got bent and twisted back.
Currently in the medical tent pic.twitter.com/90nd6bp2lz
Ultimately, Mayfield did not play in the second half of the Buccaneers' 34-7 loss, ruled out with a left shoulder sprain. The quarterback was seen with a sling over his left arm later that night.
"He hurt it earlier [in the game], said he was fine, he went back and then reaggravated it on the last play [of the first half]," Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said, per ESPN.
Baker Mayfield was seen wearing a sling after injuring his left shoulder in the first half against the Rams pic.twitter.com/NioS1NbbQT
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 24, 2025
How long is Baker Mayfield out?
On Monday, MRI results revealed that Mayfield has a low-grade sprain on his left shoulder, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield, who went down on Sunday with a sprained left shoulder, has a low-grade sprain, source said following the MRI. Good news with an eye toward next week. Pic.twitter.com/eBMsZ3up5f
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 24, 2025
This is good news for the Bucs' star signal-caler. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that with no fracture or structural damage, the Buccaneers "are not ruling out” Mayfield for Week 13 against the Cardinals.
Bowles said postgame on Sunday that Mayfield had a shoulder sprain and he would undergo an MRI on Monday. If Mayfield can't play in Week 13, Bowles said Teddy Bridgewater would start at quarterback.
"Very confident in what Teddy can do," Bowles said. "With a full week of practice, taking every snap, every play, we think he'll be fine."
According to Cleveland Clinic, a return timeline for a shoulder sprain will depend on the severity — while it "usually takes a few weeks to recover from a shoulder sprain," more severe sprains can take months to heal.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Updated playoff picture after Week 12 results
- Titans, Jets remain on pace for first pick in 2026 NFL Draft order
Buccaneers QB depth chart
| Rank | Player Name |
| 1 | Baker Mayfield |
| 2 | Teddy Bridgewater |
| 3 | Connor Bazelak - practice squad |
Should Mayfield miss any time, another veteran would step in for Tampa Bay in Teddy Bridgewater. The 33-year-old journeyman, and former starter for the Minnesota Vikings early in his career, returned to the NFL in 2025 after a one-year hiatus.
In Mayfield's second-half absence in Week 12, Bridgewater completed eight of his 15 passes for 62 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. His last start was in Week 17 of the 2022 season while with the Miami Dolphins.
Over his NFL career, the former first-round pick had 15,182 passing yards, 75 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions. He'd be tasked with leading the Buccaneers if Mayfield can't play as soon as Week 13.
Connor Bazelak, who is on the Buccaneers' practice squad, would move up to QB2 if Mayfield misses time as well. Bazelak is a 25-year-old rookie out of Bowling Green who threw for 3,044 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in his 2024 sixth-year collegiate season. He also spent time at Indiana and Missouri in college.
MORE: Meet Baker Mayfield's family tree, including influencer wife Emily
Buccaneers remaining 2025 schedule
Here's a look at the Buccaneers' final six games of the 2025 season.
| Date | Opponent |
| Sunday, Nov. 30 | vs. Cardinals |
| Sunday, Dec. 7 | vs. Saints |
| Thursday, Dec. 11 | vs. Falcons |
| Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Panthers |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | at Dolphins |
| TBD | vs. Panthers |
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