The Tampa Bay Bucs’ quarterback, Baker Mayfield, is hurt in his right ankle during the team’s Week 18 game against the Carolina Panthers. This injury is concerning.

Baker Mayfield (x/@tffdudes)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had a new injury issue during a pivotal Week 18 game against the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield seemed to suffer a right ankle injury in the late first quarter during a takedown by Panthers pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos, following his apparent rib discomfort from the previous week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.

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Mayfield left the field limping and made no attempt to go near the medical staff or go inside the blue medical tent on the Tampa Bay sideline. Remarkably, he rejoined the game during the Buccaneers’ next offensive series without missing a play.

Despite having a rib injury that hindered him during practice earlier in the week, Mayfield started every play in Week 17 against the Saints. The Bucs are facing a daunting task right now: they need to beat the Panthers to win the NFC South title. Therefore, Baker Mayfield’s performance at quarterback is crucial to their success.

The Buccaneers would choose their backup quarterback, Kyle Trask, in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft if Mayfield was to miss time. With just one pass attempt this season, Trask has fallen well short of Tom Brady in the passing hierarchy.

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The Bucs would guarantee the fourth spot and a home playoff game if they defeated the Panthers and went on to win the NFC South. Conversely, if Tampa Bay lost, they would not be eligible to make the playoffs; instead, the winning Saints-Atlanta Falcons would win the division championship.

Mayfield, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract with the Bucs during the summer, has been a key member of the team this season. He has thrown for 3,907 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while ranking eighteenth in QBR. The Bucs are still counting heavily on him to be available as they try to make their way through a challenging postseason situation.