By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the teams hardest hit by injuries this season.
So Bucs fans likely believed they were witnessing a worst-case scenario when star quarterback Baker Mayfield exited Sunday’s Week 12 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at halftime with a shoulder injury.
Mayfield injured his left shoulder earlier in the second quarter. After leading a 10-play, 65-yard touchdown drive, Mayfield immediately hit the sideline and went to the blue medical tent. He was evaluated but returned for the team’s next drive.
Right before halftime, Mayfield tried to will the Bucs back into the game but it ended up backfiring. On that final drive of the second quarter, Mayfield was sacked and fumbled (Tampa recovered) before the half ended with the former No. 1 overall pick throwing an interception to Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
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On the Hail Mary attempt, Mayfield put his full body weight into the throw, which knocked him off balance, and he landed on his already injured shoulder as the ball was picked off.
The Buccaneers announced that Mayfield was doubtful to return in the second half, leaving 33-year-old backup Teddy Bridgewater to play the rest of the game.
Bridgewater didn’t play during the 2024 regular season, and the last time he took an NFL snap was with the Detroit Lions during the playoffs back on Jan. 18.
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