Ouch! Baker Mayfield's day ended sooner than anyone hoped – and it sounds like a painful one. Officially ruled out, Teddy Bridgewater is now steering the ship for the Buccaneers against the Rams.
Let's break down what happened. After taking quite a beating in the first half, Baker Mayfield will not be returning to Sunday's game. The Buccaneers confirmed the inevitable, downgrading him from doubtful to officially out at the start of the third quarter. The visual says it all: he's on the sidelines, dressed in street clothes, his left arm supported by a sling, suggesting a shoulder or arm injury.
Mayfield endured a barrage of hits during the first half, including absorbing two sacks. He also took some rough hits while scrambling on Tampa Bay's only scoring drive of the half. He finished the first half completing 9 of 19 passes for a mere 41 yards, managing one touchdown but also throwing two interceptions. A mixed bag, to say the least.
Teddy Bridgewater has stepped in to fill Mayfield's shoes. He's completed 3 of his initial 6 pass attempts for 18 yards, but the Bucs are still struggling.
As the third quarter wound down, the Rams were firmly in control with a commanding 31-7 lead. The Buccaneers face an uphill battle to mount a comeback.
Now, here's a question for you: Was putting Mayfield back in after those initial hits the right call? Some might argue that you have to give your starter a chance, but others might say protecting player safety should always be the priority. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
