Cat Scratch Reader on Baker Mayfield

Mayfield targeting Week 7 return from thumb injury; early timeline creates turnover risk

Todd Bowles announced that Baker Mayfield will return to practice this week with eyes on returning to game action against the Panthers this weekend. However, making it back for this game would be very aggressive given the Buccaneers are right at the beginning of Mayfield's projected recovery timeline from his dislocated throwing thumb. The Bucs' desperation might lead them to play him anyway, but if Mayfield does play, there will likely be some degradation in how well he can grip the ball, giving the Panthers defense extra opportunities to hunt turnovers through airmailed passes or strip sacks.

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