Baker Mayfield Back at Bucs Practice With a Glove on Thumb

Baker Mayfield was back throwing at Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on Wednesday for the first time since dislocating his right thumb, and he wore a white glove on his throwing hand for the whole session. Coach Todd Bowles said afterward that he wants to decide by Friday whether Mayfield or rookie Jalon Daniels starts Sunday at Carolina.

For Bucs fans watching a 1-5 start, that is the best news of the week so far.

What Todd Bowles said about Baker Mayfield

"I think he's coming along fine," Bowles said. "Once he got warmed up he started looking pretty good as practice went on. We'll continue to monitor him and see how he goes through the week. It was encouraging to see him do the things we wanted him to do."

Bowles said Mayfield liked how the glove felt. "He said it felt good," Bowles said. "He's done it one time before, so he said it felt okay."

The key is how the thumb responds Thursday. Bowles said this injury is easier to read than the shoulder and other bumps Mayfield played through last season. "This one's a thumb," he said. "You can kind of gauge it off how he throws and how he feels and how he takes snaps under center and how he feels afterwards."

"See what he looks like Friday and I'll find out then," Bowles added.

Why the Bucs need him back

Mayfield got hurt in the Week 3 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 27, ending a run of 57 straight starts for Tampa Bay. He has missed the last three games.

Daniels, an undrafted rookie, went 1-2 in those starts, with the win coming at Dallas. Counting his Week 3 relief appearance, he has completed 61.2% of his passes for 501 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. The Bucs have lost five of six overall, including Sunday's 26-19 home loss to Pittsburgh.

Bucs at Panthers: what's at stake

Tampa Bay plays at Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in its first division game of the season. The Panthers are 3-2, so a loss would put the Bucs in a deep NFC South hole before November.

Carolina will be without its top outside linebacker. Coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that Jaelan Phillips, who reinjured his left hamstring in the win at Philadelphia, is set to miss Sunday's game. That is one less pass rusher for whoever lines up under center for Tampa Bay.

Smacktok pick: if Daniels gets a fourth straight start, lean toward the Panthers forcing at least one turnover, given his five interceptions so far. If Mayfield's thumb holds up Thursday and Bowles clears him Friday, back off that lean.