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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pickem Picks: Week 13
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 13
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Value Picks: Week 13
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 13
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 13
- Rams QB Matthew Stafford sets TD pass streak record
- Colts CB Sauce Gardner leaves game vs. Texans with leg injury
- Steelers starting LT Broderick Jones (neck) placed on injured reserve
- Dolphins activate TE Darren Waller, OL Austin Jackson off IR
- Rams activate CB Ahkello Witherspoon from injured reserve
- Giants DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) out vs. Patriots
- Colts rookie TE Tyler Warren (illness) questionable vs. Texans
- C Frank Ragnow fails physical, will not rejoin Lions
- Jets' Kris Boyd back in hospital due to 'health issues' from shooting
- Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist) cleared to return vs. Bills
- Giants QB Jaxson Dart to start vs. Patriots
- Packers DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle) to miss rest of season
- Bucs QB Baker Mayfield practices, expects to play Sunday
- Bills starting OTs Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown out vs. Steelers
- Rams waive benched K Joshua Karty
- Week 13 NFL Capsules
- Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown nursing low-ankle sprain
- NFL roundup: Dak Prescott-led Cowboys outduel Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
- Giants QB Jaxson Dart (concussion) cleared to return vs. Patriots
- Colts QB Daniel Jones full-go at practice despite reported broken fibula
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 13: Joe Burrow, Christian Watson, and More Tough Calls
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: NFL DFS Week 13 Main Slate Game-by-Game Breakdown
- Fantasy Life: Important Notes For An Ugly Week 13 Slate
- Fantasy Life: Track All Of Your Week 13 Fantasy Matchups In Real Time ... In One Place!
- Fantasy Life: Bucky Irving Week 13 Injury Update: Will His Return Have a Fantasy Football Impact?
- Fantasy Life: Will the Giants Break Their Losing Streak? Plus More Burning Fantasy Football Questions
- Fantasy Life: Looking Ahead To The Week 13 Sunday Slate
- Fantasy Life: Week 13 WR/CB Matchups: Nico Collins, Jaylen Waddle and More
The Paur Report
Value Picks: Week 13
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence did a much better job of securing the football during Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Last week, Lawrence threw three interceptions in what ended up being a win over the Arizona Cardinals. Lawrence avoided the same mistakes this weekend as he completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 229 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win. This marked the first time since Week 7 that Lawrence has gotten through a game without an interception. He has five touchdowns over his last two games and will look to keep the good times rolling in a tough divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts next week.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell posted the best game of his young career in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons, totaling eight receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. The second-year wideout recorded a career high in targets, receptions, and yards, and scored his first career touchdown in his third game with the Jets since being acquired at this year's trade deadline. The 2024 second-rounder has flashed the ability and upside at times in his young career, but was buried behind multiple good players in Indianapolis and had some frustrating moments, which ultimately led to him being traded away. The 23-year-old broke out on Sunday against the Falcons and looks like a strong addition to a Jets offense that desperately needs playmakers alongside star wideout Garrett Wilson, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury. Mitchell will be a hot waiver add this week, and he has the upside to be an impactful player down the stretch.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans WR Christian Kirk was not targeted in a Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: It's been a down season for Kirk, who has played in just eight games due to injury and hasn't been able to find a connection with either Houston quarterback.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young led his team to a big upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, completing 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns to go with five carries for 23 yards. Young bounced back after a disappointing game last Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, consistently showing up in the biggest moments of the game. His first touchdown came on a swing pass to Chuba Hubbard on third down that Hubbard turned into a 35-yard score, while both of his other touchdowns came on pivotal fourth downs on beautiful throws. The Panthers leaned into the run more with 35 total running back carries after just nine last week in San Francisco to help put Young in more favorable situations. The third-year signal caller hasn't been consistent game to game, but he's delivered in some big spots and helped lead the Panthers to a massive upset win over arguably the best team in football in the Rams. Young and the Panthers will ride this momentum into their Week 14 bye before three big divisional games in the final four weeks.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans RB Nick Chubb ran nine times for 34 yards and a touchdown in a Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Spin: Chubb, who scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter, continues to lose carries to Woody Marks each week. The 34 yards was his fewest sine 16 at Seattle on Oct. 20. He's only worth rostering as a deep back-up in case of multiple injuries.
From TheHuddle
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson went off on Sunday against the New York Jets despite the 27-24 loss, recording 23 carries for 142 yards and a touchdown along with five receptions (seven targets) for 51 yards as a receiver. Robinson was excellent once again and was the engine of Atlanta's offense in this game, accounting for 191 of 389 total yards of offense for the Falcons. It marks the second-most total yards in a game this season for the superstar running back, only trailing his 238-yard performance back in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. The 23-year-old is one of the best receiving backs in football and has six games this season with at least five receptions, with Sunday being his first since Week 9 against the Patriots. Robinson remains one of the top running backs in fantasy, but faces a tough matchup in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku caught two passes for four yards against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. He was targeted two times during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Njoku has become smaller part of the passing game as the season has gone on and has only 11 receiving yards in the last three games. He can be avoided in fantasy leagues unless Harold Fannin Jr. suffers an injury at some point.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints TE/QB Taysom Hill had just a single 2-yard rush and a 5-yard reception on his lone target in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell referred to tight end Brock Wright's injury as a "trachea" and said that it could be a long-term issue, according to Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press. Campbell said that the team is still sending out scans for other opinions, but it's not good news for the 27-year-old tight end. Wright suffered what was initially described as a neck injury during Detroit's Week 12 overtime win over the New York Giants and missed their Week 13 game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Wright hasn't been a big receiving threat with just 14 receptions (22 targets) for 108 yards and two touchdowns this season, but he was the team's top tight end after Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve. Ross Dwelley and Anthony Firsker are next up on the depth chart for Detroit's options at tight end moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts LB Zaire Franklin made 13 tackles - five solo - in a Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start again next week against the Tennessee Titans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Sanders completed 16 of 25 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown while adding one carry for six yards in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He took only one sack last week against the Raiders, but he took three sacks for a loss of 34 yards in this one. The rookie fifth-rounder from Colorado played decently in his second career start despite the loss, finding fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. for a 34-yard touchdown near the end of the first half. Sanders has earned another opportunity to start next week against Tennessee and potentially for the foreseeable future.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson was targeted one time during the Week 13 game against the Cleveland Browns but finished with zero receptions. He also rushed for six yards on one carry during the game.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is trending in the right direction after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 7 against the Lions and could return in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Head coach Todd Bowles said that he expects the veteran wideout to be back before the end of the regular season, and could have his practice window opened as soon as next week. Rapoport added that a better determination of Evans' status will be based on medical scans that will come in the next few days. It was initially reported that Evans would be expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, but he's made great progress in his recovery and is on track to return before the season concludes. Evans should re-assume his role as Tampa Bay's No. 1 option upon returning and should be a priority add and stash if he is available on waiver wires.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk caught two passes for 27 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. He was targeted two times during the game.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams registered four receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns on five targets in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers.
Fantasy Spin: Adams has 11 touchdowns in the past six games, and he has four games with multiple touchdowns this season. Needless to say, he has re-emerged as a legit WR1 in all fantasy leagues after struggling in his time with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets. It's amazing what being in an NFL-caliber offense with solid coaching and a good quarterback can do to unlock a player's abilities.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle caught four passes for 67 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. He was targeted five times during the game.
Fantasy Spin: Kittle continues to be a reliable target for 49ers and has posted at least 65 yards in each of his last four games. He is a weekly starting option in all leagues when he plays, but fantasy players will need another option next week with the 49ers on a bye.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an ankle injury. Palmer returned from injury in Week 12 against the Houston Texans, recording two catches (four targets) for 21 yards, but entered Week 13 listed as questionable and will ultimately not suit up. The 26-year-old hasn't made a big impact since signing with the Bills in the offseason, totaling 18 receptions for 272 yards and no touchdowns on 29 targets in eight games. Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks are both active on Sunday against Pittsburgh and should factor into the passing game along with Khalik Shakir with Palmer sidelined.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey rushed for 53 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. He also caught four passes for 21 yards during the game.
Fantasy Spin: McCaffrey was held to under 90 total yards for the first time in five games but was still able to be a productive option for fantasy players this week. He will not be available next week because of the bye but is a must-start option in all leagues when healthy.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is active on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time since Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. Coleman was a healthy inactive for the past two games for disciplinary reasons after being late to a team meeting. The 22-year-old has had a disappointing sophomore season so far, recording 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets in nine games. Ideally, the Bills taking action and sitting Coleman down for two games will lead to better days for him. He gets a great opportunity on Sunday against a Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings acquired Thielen and a 5th-round pick for a 4th and 5th-round pick before the start of the regular season, but the veteran has not made an impact, recording just eight catches for 69 yards on 18 targets in 11 games. The 35-year-old hasn't played more than 14 snaps in a game this Week 3 and for the first time this season, Thielen will be inactive despite being healthy. Jailen Nailor and rookie Tai Felton will likely see increases in opportunities in Week 13 against the Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
