Bucs QB Baker Mayfield likely to get green light vs. Cardinals

Thu Nov 27 10:06am ET
Field Level Media

Baker Mayfield has not missed a start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his 45-game streak appears to be safe after he completed practice Friday.

Mayfield's sprained left shoulder was problematic, drawing doubt about his status for Tampa Bay's game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.

But after seeing how his QB1 looked in practice, Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield is in the mix to start against the Cardinals.

Teddy Bridgewater will start if Mayfield isn't able to go.

"It's pain tolerance and management at that point," Mayfield said earlier this week for what he called a double-edged sword decision. "(We will) see how it goes through the week and go from there. I understand that we have Teddy. I have been in this spot before, hurting the non-throwing shoulder.

"If it's going to hinder how I play, then I probably won't go, but I won't know that until later in the week getting practice reps and see how that goes."

There seems to be more clarity heading into the weekend.

Mayfield injured the shoulder a couple of times during last week's 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The most painful time came as he heaved the ball on a Hail Mary pass to end the first half.

Bridgewater played the second half with Mayfield unable to continue.

"On the Hail Mary ... it felt like my shoulder was unstable, which MRIs and all that revealed that it's stable and everything is intact, so that's really good news," Mayfield said. "It's really about feeling good enough to be able to rip the ball and feeling confident in it to finish through throws and stay on top of the ball."

If Mayfield can't play, Bridgewater will start for the first time since Week 17 of the 2022 season with the Miami Dolphins. Against the Rams, he completed 8 of 15 passes for 62 yards.

"We all have confidence in Teddy," Bowles said. "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 (6-5) have lost three straight games and four of the past five. They stand a half-game ahead of the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South.

Arizona (3-8) has lost three in a row and eight of the past nine. The Cardinals fell 27-24 in overtime to the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will be making his seventh consecutive start. He has thrown for 769 yards on 80-for-106 passing (75.5%) over the past two games.

Cardinals star tight end Trey McBride is tied for second in the NFL with 80 receptions, one behind leader Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers.

McBride has caught five or more passes in 13 straight games, tying the club record set by Larry Fitzgerald.

"I want him to touch the ball more than five times every game regardless of the streak," Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. "I'd like for him to touch it 10 times or 15 times because he is as talented as he is and plays the game the way he does and has such a big impact for us."

Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) returned to the field on a limited basis. He missed the past two games and is considered questionable for Sunday.

"It was good to see him running," Brissett said of Harrison. "He went through something very traumatic. To have him back out there was really good and I'm excited to see how this week unfolds for him."

The Cardinals ruled out defensive end Walter Nolen III (knee) on Wednesday. Running backs Emari Demercado (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee), right guard Will Hernandez (hip/knee) and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle) also will be sidelined. Right tackle Kelvin Beachum (groin), running back Bam Knight (knee) and cornerback Max Melton (heel) join Harrison as questionable.

Tampa Bay will be without cornerback Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and safety Rashad Wisdom (quadricep) on Sunday. In addition to Mayfield, running back Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot), guard Ben Bredeson (hamstring), cornerback Jamel Dean (hip) and linebackers Anthony Nelson (ribs) and Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) are questionable.

The Buccaneers won the last two meetings, both by three points.

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Player Notes
Aaron Rodgers Dec 3 9:00am CT
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Jalen McMillan Dec 3 8:40am CT
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NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) is expected to have his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday, a source said, some excellent news for Tampa Bay. The Bucs also opened fellow wide receiver Mike Evans' (collarbone) practice window Wednesday just in time for the end-of-season run for the (7-5) Buccaneers. McMillan had himself a nice rookie season in 2024, with 461 receiving yards on 58 targets and eight touchdowns. He stepped in for the injured Chris Godwin at the time after he suffered an ankle injury during the middle of the season and missed the rest of the 2024 campaign. As great as this news is for the Bucs and McMillan, it's not the most fantastic news for fantasy managers of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson, and Cade Otton, as once Evans and McMillan get thrown into the mix, there's going to be a lot of pass-catchers in this offense and challenging for any one receiver to have any level of consistency if quarterback Baker Mayfield spreads the ball around, which he likely would. McMillan would likely be on the lower end of that pecking order, not making him fantasy relevant for the rest of the 2025 season, but still a good option in dynasty formats.

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Adonai Mitchell Dec 3 8:40am CT
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Mike Evans Dec 3 8:20am CT
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NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday morning that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' legendary wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is having his practice window opened off Injured Reserve, and he'll return to practice Wednesday. A quicker-than-expected return from a broken clavicle, Evans has been medically cleared. This is fantastic news for Mike Evans and the Buccaneers (7-5) as they make a push to win an NFC South title. From a fantasy perspective, it opens the opportunity for Evans to be an option for the fantasy playoffs. It's been a tough year for Evans from an injury standpoint: he injured his hamstring and missed Weeks 4-7, then played in Week 7 and had this collarbone injury. For the season, he's really only played three healthy games, so it will be the first time in his excellent 12-year career that he will not eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. However, getting back on the field to help the Bucs compete for a title is where his head should be. Should Evans suit up in any of the following weeks, he can be inserted into lineups as a low-end WR2 immediately.

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Darnell Mooney Dec 3 12:40am CT
Darnell Mooney

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney failed to take advantage of Drake London (knee) being out of the lineup in Week 13 against the New York Jets, recording just two receptions for 25 yards on five targets. The 28-year-old easily had his best game of the season in Week 12 against the Saints with London out, hauling in all three targets for 74 yards and a touchdown, but he didn't find the same success on Sunday despite a favorable matchup. It's been a disappointing year for the former Chicago Bear, as he has yet to record five or more catches in a game after doing so seven times in 16 games last year. The Atlanta offense isn't as effective with Kirk Cousins under center in place of Michael Penix Jr., either, but Mooney was still expected to take on a larger role in London's absence. Mooney is just a fringe top-40 option at wide receiver at this point in the season, especially with London potentially returning as early as Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks. Mooney is probably only worth a starting lineup spot in fantasy football this weekend if London misses another game.

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Marcus Mariota Dec 3 12:40am CT
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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota has played great while filling in for an injured Jayden Daniels (elbow). Mariota and the Commanders nearly pulled off the upset against the Denver Broncos in Week 13, with Mariota completing 28 of 50 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception while adding 10 carries for 55 yards on the ground. It was a valiant effort against one of the top defenses in the league that continued a trend of the 32-year-old signal-caller playing well. Daniels reportedly has a chance to return in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, but he has not yet been cleared for contact. More will be known about Daniels' status in practice this week, but if he needs more time, Mariota would be in line to make his seventh start of the season and would profile as a strong streaming option again versus the Vikings.

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Cam Ward Dec 3 12:40am CT
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Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward struggled in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 24 of 38 passes for 141 yards with one carry for seven yards. The No. 1 overall pick also took three sacks for a loss of 20 yards as the Titans' offense struggled to move the ball all game. After having arguably his best game of the season last week against an elite Seattle Seahawks defense with 292 total yards and two touchdowns, Ward's 3.7 yards per attempt against the Jaguars was his lowest in a game this season. The Titans' offensive situation has been abysmal in 2025, with a lackluster skill position group and an inconsistent offensive line. Still, Ward has shown plenty of flashes and positive elements to build on. However, it's tough to trust him (even in superflex leagues) in a brutal Week 14 road matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

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Shedeur Sanders Dec 3 12:40am CT
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Jacoby Brissett Dec 2 10:43pm CT
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Fantasy Spin: Brissett has put up QB1-type fantasy numbers since taking over as the starter for Murray, but he can't be trusted as such. He has been a journeyman in this league for a reason, and at this critical juncture of the fantasy season, it's too much of a gamble to pin your hopes to a guy who has been passed around the league at a feverish pace. Only trust him if your primary option has a bye in Week 14.

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Tyler Lockett Dec 2 10:10pm CT
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Marquise Brown Dec 2 9:50pm CT
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Keaton Mitchell Dec 2 9:40pm CT
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Ollie Gordon II Dec 2 9:30pm CT
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Miami Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II has pretty much worked as the backup in Miami all year behind workhorse De'Von Achane, totaling 53 carries for 174 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 12 games in his first year in the NFL. Gordon has added six catches on eight targets for 30 yards and another TD. The 21-year-old 6-foot-2, 225-pound back had as many carries (three) as Jaylen Wright in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints, though, gaining just 10 yards. He was not targeted in the passing attack for the third game in a row. Achane continues to see the lion's share of the backfield touches, as he had 22 rushing attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown. Gordon gives Miami's offense a unique mix of size and speed at the RB position, but he just has not seen enough volume to be worth rostering in 12-team redraft fantasy football leagues. He's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues.

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Justin Tucker Dec 2 9:23pm CT
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Free-agent PK Blake Grupe (Saints) was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, Dec. 2, a source said. He reportedly beat out free-agent PKs Maddox Trujillo and Justin Tucker (Ravens), who were also brought in for a tryout.

From TheHuddle

Tyjae Spears Dec 2 9:20pm CT
Tyjae Spears

In the lowest-scoring offense (14.2 points per game) in the league, Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has a low ceiling and low floor for fantasy managers, and he should only be rostered in point-per-reception leagues. In the Week 13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Spears had two rushing attempts for a loss of one yard, but he salvaged his fantasy day by catching all six of his targets for 25 yards through the air. The 24-year-old's six catches were tied for the team lead, and his six targets were second on the team. Since returning from Injured Reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, Spears has a very modest 39 carries for 158 yards and one touchdown while adding 28 receptions for 173 yards on 30 targets in eight games. Fantasy managers cannot count on him to produce on the ground -- he's had more than five carries in a game only twice in eight games. Spears has had at least five targets in each of the last three games, though, which makes him a low-upside RB3/flex in deep PPR leagues going into a tough Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

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Kirk Cousins Dec 2 9:20pm CT
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of his 33 passes for 234 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets. The 37-year-old looked Kyle Pitts Sr.'s way most often (eight targets), which has been the case in each of his three starts this season, but again spread the ball around, with seven different receivers earning two or more targets, and he also foundDavid Sills V for a touchdown pass for the second straight week. The veteran QB draws a tough matchup in Week 14 as the Falcons host the Seahawks in Atlanta, a defense that has been in the bottom third in terms of fantasypoints allowedto opposing quarterbacks. It will at least be a home matchup, and there is still a chance that the team's No. 1 receiver, Drake London (knee), will return for Sunday's contest. Even so, Cousins figures to be in the lower end of the QB2 ranks in Week 14.

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Tank Bigsby Dec 2 9:10pm CT
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Across 11 games since being acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles, running back Tank Bigsby has recorded just 18 carries for 164 yards. As long as star Eagles running back Saquon Barkley remains healthy, there appears to be a firm ceiling on Bigsby's playing time and opportunity for touches. The 24-year-old has logged double-digit offensive snaps in just one game this season. However, Bigsby's average of 9.1 rushing yards per attempt is a clear indicator of his significant production upside if Barkley were to suffer an injury. In a larger, 168-carry sample size across 16 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, Bigsby averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and scored seven rushing touchdowns. Bigsby's never provided much production as a receiver, so fellow Eagles back Will Shipley would likely handle passing-downs work even if Barkley were to go down. Still, Bigsby is a high-end handcuff option who is worth rostering in fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams heading into a Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Brian Robinson Jr. Dec 2 9:00pm CT
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Across 13 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 72 carries for 328 yards and two touchdowns. While the 26-year-old has been productive when given the opportunity in his first season in San Francisco, his playing time upside is capped by the presence of superstar 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson Jr. has yet to play more than 18 offensive snaps or log double-digit carries in any game this season. However, as the fantasy playoffs approach, Robinson Jr. could be worth rostering as a premium handcuff option. He's averaging a career-best 4.6 yards per rush attempt this season and would immediately profile as a starting fantasy running back if McCaffrey were to miss time due to injury. In leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. could be worth rostering and stashing through San Francisco's Week 14 bye.

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Theo Johnson Dec 2 8:50pm CT
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New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson posted modest production in his team's Week 13 loss to the New England Patriots, recording just three catches for 29 yards. However, the 24-year-old tied his single-game season-high with eight targets. Across the last five games he's played with Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Johnson has hauled in 19 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson also rarely leaves the field in New York, playing at least 89% of the Giants' offensive snaps in three out of the last four weeks. With the Giants on their bye week in Week 14, fantasy managers desperate for a win may be forced to drop Johnson. In leagues with 12 or more teams, Johnson could be worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing through his bye week, given his favorable Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

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Nick Chubb Dec 2 8:40pm CT
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