Baker Mayfield Injury: Season Over?! Bucs QB's Shoulder Shattered!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are holding their breath this week as starting quarterback Baker Mayfield nurses a shoulder injury that could sideline him for an extended period. The injury, suffered during a brutal 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, comes at a particularly inopportune time, threatening to derail what started as a promising season for the Bucs. A 6-2 start had many thinking playoffs, but now, things are looking a bit more uncertain.

Baker Mayfield Injury: Season Over?! Bucs QB's Sho...

The extent of the damage to Mayfield's left shoulder isn't yet fully known. Head coach Todd Bowles has indicated it might be a sprained AC joint, but the team is awaiting the results of an MRI. That MRI will ultimately determine how long Mayfield will be out, and whether he can even suit up for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The game, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app, suddenly has a very different feel to it. We'll know more soon, I'm sure, but the waiting game is always nerve-wracking for fans.

Should Mayfield be unable to play, veteran Teddy Bridgewater is ready to step in. Bridgewater, who saw action in the second half against the Rams, brings a different dynamic to the offense. "It’s a big loss because of the way he’s been playing and carrying us the past few weeks — and even last year," Bowles said of Mayfield. But he was also quick to express confidence in Bridgewater. "At the same time, we all have confidence in Teddy. We know what he can do, and we know what kind of confidence level he brings, too. It’s a different kind of energy, but yet energy that we all feed off of and expect."

The Buccaneers are currently mired in a three-game losing streak, having fallen to the Rams, Bills, and Patriots. Despite the recent slide, they are still tied with the Carolina Panthers for the lead in the NFC South, though that could change depending on the outcome of Carolina's Monday night game against San Francisco. What’s interesting is that, outside of beating the Seahawks and 49ers (both now looking like playoff teams), the Bucs have struggled against teams with winning records. That's a stat that needs to improve, and fast.

Bowles seems aware of the issues. "We understand that most of us have been here the last two years and understand where we are and understand what we’ve got to do going forward," he stated. "Everything is right in front of us, but we definitely have to correct a lot of things. It’s definitely in the locker room with us — coaches and players. We’re our problem, but we’re also our solution." That’s coach speak for “we need to get our act together, now.”

Tampa Bay has held dominion over the NFC South for the past four seasons. However, their playoff performances at home have been less than stellar, with three losses, including two in the wild-card round. Can they right the ship and make a deep playoff run this year? A lot depends on the severity of Mayfield's injury, and whether Bridgewater can step up if needed. And honestly, even if Mayfield is back quickly, the Bucs will need to address the issues plaguing them against winning teams. The clock is ticking.