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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Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 13

Player Notes
Isaiah Likely Dec 2 11:10am CT
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely posted his most productive performance of the season in Week 13, recording five catches for 95 yards on six targets against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the 25-year-old was also responsible for one of the turning points in the game when he coughed up a fumble as he was crossing the goal line, turning a touchdown into a touchback. Still, Likely's increased involvement is a positive sign for fantasy managers. Although he's failed to find the end zone so far this season, Likely recorded six touchdowns on 58 targets across 16 games in 2024 and has shown stretches of red zone chemistry with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throughout his career. The presence of tight ends Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar in Baltimore limits Likely's upside, as he's played fewer than 60% of the team's offensive snaps in six straight games heading into his Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, in deep fantasy leagues, Likely may be worth stashing off the waiver wire in case an injury to Andrews opens up a significant playing time opportunity in Baltimore.

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Elijah Moore Dec 2 10:50am CT
Elijah Moore

The Denver Broncos are signing veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore to their practice squad, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Moore was released by the Buffalo Bills in late November. Across nine games with Buffalo this season, the 25-year-old recorded nine catches for 112 yards on 17 targets. Moore posted consecutive 100-plus target seasons in 2023 and 2024 with the Cleveland Browns, but he was never able to gain much traction with the Bills. He'll now get his next opportunity with the Broncos, but Denver's crowded wide receiver room may make it difficult for Moore to make an impact. Broncos wideouts Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr. all played at least 33% of the team's offensive snaps in the team's Week 13 win over the Washington Commanders. Unless there's an injury in Denver, Moore should likely remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

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Blake Grupe Dec 2 10:40am CT
Blake Grupe

The Indianapolis Colts are hosting kicker workouts on Tuesday, and former New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe is one of the players invited, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. The Colts lost kicker Spencer Shrader (knee) to a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 and have been relying on replacement kicker Michael Badgley ever since. While Badgley has made 10 of his 11 field goal attempts with Indianapolis, it appears the team may be looking to go in a different direction. Grupe was released by the New Orleans Saints in late November. He struggled in 11 games for New Orleans this season, converting on just 18 of 26 field goal attempts. However, Grupe has made 15 field goals from 50-plus yards across 45 career NFL games, while Badgley has made just seven across 71 career games. Badgley's lack of deep range may be why the Colts are looking to make a switch.

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Brock Purdy Dec 2 10:40am CT
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy went 16-for-29 for 168 yards and one touchdown in the team's 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Purdy's production reached season lows in completions, completion rate, and passing yards, but it was enough to finish as a top-12 quarterback in fantasy. Despite Purdy's mediocre stat line, it was an improvement over his performance against the Panthers, when he threw three interceptions and completed just one pass of 10 air yards or more. Against Cleveland, Purdy managed to complete six of his 11 such pass attempts, including a 30-yard bomb to George Kittle that set up a chip-shot field goal for Matt Gay at the end of the first half. San Francisco is on bye in Week 14, but it has favorable matchups in the fantasy football playoffs with meetings against the Titans in Week 15 and the Bears in Week 17.

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Brandon Aiyuk Dec 2 10:40am CT
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said he is "not sure" but "hopeful" when asked if it's realistic to expect wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to take the field in 2025, per David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Aiyuk tore multiple ligaments in his knee in Week 7 of the 2024 season and has yet to play in a game since. Aiyuk was one of the most efficient wide receivers in the NFL in the last full season he played back in 2023, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets. However, it appears as though he may not be healthy until 2026. Aiyuk also may be locked into a contract stand-off with the team, as the 49ers reportedly voided guarantees in his current contract. Between the injury and the contractual issues, fantasy managers should likely proceed as though Aiyuk will not play a fantasy-relevant role in 2025.

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Tua Tagovailoa Dec 2 10:30am CT
Tua Tagovailoa

Across 12 games this season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has completed 67.2% of his pass attempts for 2,280 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. While the 27-year-old's numbers do not jump off the page, Miami has played its best football in recent weeks, winning three straight games and four out of its last five heading into Week 14. Tagovailoa should have an opportunity to post solid numbers in a favorable matchup in Week 14 against the New York Jets. In his first matchup against New York back in Week 4, Tagovailoa threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns. His lack of rushing ability limits his fantasy upside. However, in deeper fantasy leagues or two-quarterback formats, Tagovailoa could be a solid streaming option off the waiver wire in Week 14.

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Trevor Lawrence Dec 2 10:30am CT
Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has had an up-and-down fantasy season so far through 12 games, but he has played decently in recent weeks. Since Week 9, Lawrence has completed 61.6% of his passes for 1,016 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 27 carries for 122 yards and three touchdowns as a runner. The 26-year-old is averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game during that time, ranking as the QB10. He's adding more value as a runner this season, and his five rushing scores have already matched a career high. Lawrence is still frustrating at times and is one of the more turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league, but he's been a useful player in fantasy for roughly a month now. He's in play as a potential streamer in Week 14 against an Indianapolis Colts defense that will be without top cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf).

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Kayshon Boutte Dec 2 10:20am CT
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte scored his team-leading sixth touchdown of the season in Monday night's win over the New York Giants. Boutte has been an impactful player for New England in his third season, leading the league with 12.7 yards per target. When healthy, the 23-year-old has operated as one of the Patriots' starting wide receivers, leading their wide receiver group in route share (67.3%). Boutte isn't a major target-earner, but he's been an explosive playmaker for breakout quarterback Drake Maye. Boutte and the Patriots head into their Week 14 bye on a high note and will prepare for a big divisional matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. Boutte is a low-floor, high-ceiling player who could be worth adding off the waiver wire this week to have as a flex option for the rest of the season.

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C.J. Stroud Dec 2 10:20am CT
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud returned to the field in Week 13 after missing three games with a concussion and completed 22 of 35 pass attempts for 276 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception against the Indianapolis Colts. Across nine games this season, Stroud has completed 66.1% of his pass attempts for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions. However, the Texans have turned to a much more pass-heavy approach in recent weeks. Over his last three full games, Stroud is averaging 41 pass attempts per contest. The high-volume approach gives Stroud an opportunity for fantasy production every week, even if Houston's offense struggles to be efficient. In deeper fantasy leagues, Stroud could be a solid streaming option at the quarterback position heading into a Week 14 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Jacoby Brissett Dec 2 10:00am CT
Jacoby Brissett

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett has delivered multiple standout fantasy performances since becoming the team's starter in Week 6 while filling in for an injured Kyler Murray (foot). Brissett is averaging 312.6 passing yards on 43 attempts per game with 14 total touchdowns and four interceptions during that time. His 43 passes per game would be the highest in the league if he qualified. The high passing volume has made the 32-year-old signal-caller a strong streaming option, as he's cleared 300 yards passing in three straight games. Brissett draws a tougher matchup in Week 14, however, against a Los Angeles Rams defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

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Josh Downs Dec 2 9:50am CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has struggled lately, recording just five catches for 57 yards on 13 targets over the past three games. The 24-year-old hasn't been a major factor in the Colts' passing attack, taking a back seat to the team's other primary weapons. Downs mostly operates out of the slot, limiting him to three-wide receiver sets. The former 2022 third-round pick is still a useful player in deeper PPR leagues, but it's tough to trust him in 12-team leagues. He's totaled 40 receptions (59 targets) for 370 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games this season, averaging 8.5 PPR points. Downs at least has a more favorable Week 14 matchup against the Jaguars after facing the elite Texans defense last week.

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Brandon Aiyuk Dec 2 9:30am CT
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has yet to be physically cleared to return from a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus suffered in Week 7 last season, and it remains to be seen if he will. The 49ers reportedly voided guarantees in Aiyuk's four-year contract extension, which could lead to Aiyuk not suiting up for the 49ers this season. The Washington Commanders are one team to watch for if Aiyuk becomes available, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The 27-year-old Aiyuk is close with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. In addition, general manager Adam Peters was on staff when the 49ers drafted and extended Aiyuk, so he has a good understanding of Aiyuk as a player and person. Aiyuk, when healthy, is still an excellent player. He recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets in his last full season in 2023. Aiyuk would draw interest from multiple teams if he reaches free agency, and Washington is expected to be one of the top suitors.

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Tre Tucker Dec 2 9:10am CT
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker only had three catches for 20 yards in Week 13 against the Chargers, but he still served as the team's No. 1 wide receiver, playing 96% of snaps. No other receiver played more than 56% of snaps, and Tucker's three targets were behind only RB Ashton Jeanty's and TE Brock Bowers' target totals. Tucker had been even busier in the previous two weeks, drawing 18 targets in those two games from Geno Smith. He has multiple catches in each of his 12 games this season, totaling 44 catches for 550 yards and five touchdowns. The third-year receiver should stay very involved as the Raiders' top wide receiver moving forward, but he has tough matchups in Week 14 against the Broncos and Week 16 against the Texans. He does have potential upside, but will remain unreliable since the Raiders' offense has been scuffling so badly in recent weeks.

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Chimere Dike Dec 2 9:00am CT
Chimere Dike

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike has shown lots of big-play potential this season on both special teams and as a receiver. The fourth-round pick has a pair of punt return touchdowns and a pair of receiving scores this season and has hauled in 12 of his 17 targets for a total of 361 yards. With Calvin Ridley (fibula) done for the season, Dike and fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor should continue to get plenty of opportunities to work with Cam Ward. Dike has at least three targets in eight straight games and has been involved as a rusher. His big-play potential makes him a high-risk option in a flex spot, but he does bring upside if you're searching for receiver depth on the waiver wire. In Week 14, he faces the Browns before a more favorable matchup against the 49ers in Week 15.

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Isaac TeSlaa Dec 2 8:50am CT
Isaac TeSlaa

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa caught both of his two targets for 35 yards and one touchdown in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers. The third-round rookie could be lined up for even more work in the next few weeks since both Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) and Kalif Raymond (ankle) are battling injuries, which could move him up to second on the depth chart behind only Jameson Williams. With tight end Sam LaPorta (back) already out as well, the Lions will need pass-catchers to step up in Week 14's Thursday Night Football matchup with the Cowboys, who have been a great matchup for receivers this season. Even though he only has six catches for 100 yards this season, TeSlaa has three touchdowns, and in an expanded role, he's a high-risk option that you can plug straight into a flex spot as a strong streaming option in Week 14 if Raymond and St. Brown are sidelined.

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Andrei Iosivas Dec 2 8:40am CT
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas has gotten extra playing time the last two weeks with Ja'Marr Chase (suspension) and Tee Higgins (concussion) missing time. Iosivas had four catches for 61 yards against the Patriots without Chase, but he only managed one catch for 29 yards against the Ravens. He still had a solid fantasy day, though, since his 29-yard catch went for a touchdown. With Higgins still in the concussion protocol as the week of preparation begins for the Bengals' trip to Buffalo, Iosivas could be in an expanded role again this week. If Higgins is out again, Iosivas will be a high-risk flex play with good upside since he should be set for more targets once again as Joe Burrow settles in and the Bengals try to make a late playoff push. Until Higgins is cleared, Iosivas still has solid fantasy value and potential.

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Devin Singletary Dec 2 8:30am CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary had 12 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots on Monday Night Football and added three catches for 34 more yards. He played 28 snaps (51%) compared to 27 for Tyrone Tracy Jr. (49%), who took some big hits and was ultimately carted to the locker room. Tracy has been banged up, and the Giants will likely be careful with him going forward, leaving more work potentially for Singletary. The Giants are on a bye in Week 14, but they have favorable matchups against the Commanders and Raiders in two of their next three contests. After getting double-digit carries in three straight games and scoring three touchdowns in that span, Singletary is definitely a low-end flex option in those favorable matchups following the bye.

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Luther Burden III Dec 2 8:20am CT
Luther Burden III

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has at least three catches in four straight games and has at least five targets in each of his last three. He led the team with four catches in their Black Friday win over the Eagles on a windy day in Philadelphia. While his yardage totals have been mediocre, the second-round rookie from Missouri is getting enough looks to eventually show off his big-play potential. Burden is clearly operating as the team's third receiver behind Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, playing over 50% of snaps the last two weeks ahead of Olamide Zaccheaus. Burden will remain a risky flex play against Green Bay in Week 14 with so many other options in the offense, but if you are looking for receiver depth, he's one of the top widely available options.

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Kayshon Boutte Dec 2 12:20am CT
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte posted four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on five targets in Monday night's win over the New York Giants. Boutte finished the game tied with tight end Hunter Henry for the team lead in receptions and continued his breakout campaign. The 23-year-old has emerged as a legitimate threat for New England in his third season, recording 29 receptions (38 targets) for 481 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns in 11 games. He's developed a great connection with breakout quarterback Drake Maye on downfield targets and ranks third in the league among wide receivers with 16.6 yards per reception. Boutte should remain a viable flex option in fantasy football following New England's Week 14 bye, when the Patriots take on the division-rival Buffalo Bills.

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Darius Slayton Dec 2 12:10am CT
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton hauled in two of his three targets for 41 yards and his first touchdown of the season in Monday night's loss to the New England Patriots. Slayton led the Giants in receiving in the game and found the end zone for the first time since Week 17 of last season. The 28-year-old hasn't been a huge factor for the Giants this season, totaling 26 receptions for 407 yards and one touchdown on 39 targets in 10 games. He's operated as the No. 3 option in the passing game behind Wan'Dale Robinson and tight end Theo Johnson in recent weeks and has returned fringe flex value in fantasy football. Slayton and the Giants head into their Week 14 bye before facing the Washington Commanders in Week 15.

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