Baker Mayfield’s availability for Tampa Bay’s Week 11 game at Detroit is uncertain after a foot-and-ankle-area injury suffered against Chicago, according to a Nov. 15 report published by ESPN. Mike Garafolo’s report cites multiple sources who spoke to NFL Network. Mayfield has not been ruled out. Source
Mayfield has intermittently used a walking boot to rest and rehabilitate the injury during Tampa Bay’s bye week, the report says. Sources don’t consider the injury a long-term issue, and injured reserve is not under consideration. Any missed playing time is expected to be minimal, according to the report. Source
Mayfield was slow to get up after several fourth-quarter hits in the loss at Chicago, but he never left the game. He later ran in a two-point conversion to tie the score at 24-24 with 2:51 remaining, before the Bears kicked a field goal on their next possession. The report does not identify which play caused the injury. Source
Tampa Bay has already navigated one stretch without Mayfield this season. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels started the three games Mayfield missed with a separate right-thumb dislocation, according to the report. It doesn’t say who would start against Detroit if Mayfield can’t play. Source
The Bucs will monitor Mayfield’s progress when they return to practice. Sources cited in the report expect him to do everything he can to play if the issue comes down to pain tolerance rather than functionality. Source
Tampa Bay entered Nov. 15 at 3-6 but just half a game out of first place in the NFC South. Six losses and a division title still within reach—the standings are being generous. Source
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