Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has AC joint sprain in left shoulder

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times on Nov 24, 2025

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed themselves to exhale just a bit Monday after learning that quarterback Baker Mayfield’s left shoulder injury is not as bad as they had feared.

An MRI revealed a sprained AC joint but no fracture or structural damage, the Tampa Bay Times confirmed. His availability may come down to pain management.

Asked early Monday afternoon if the injury to his non-throwing shoulder is one Mayfield can play with, head coach Todd Bowles said, “I’m not sure yet.”

“It’s too early to tell,” Bowles said. “We’ll wait for the MRI, and when it comes back we’ll assess everything then.”

An AC, or acromioclavicular joint, sprain, is an injury to the ligaments connecting the collarbone to the shoulder blade. It often results from a fall on the shoulder or outstretched hand and is commonly called a “separated shoulder.” Symptoms include pain at the top of the shoulder, swelling and bruising.

The injury likely occurred when Mayfield was tackled at the end of a run during the first half of Sunday night’s 34-7 loss to the Rams in Inglewood, Calif.

He was holding his shoulder and in visible pain after throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Mayfield was evaluated in the injury tent on the sideline following the play but remained in the game and appeared to aggravate the injury while attempting a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the half.

"We’re trying to get a free shot, and we’re trying to waste the (five) seconds," Bowles said. “It was either a foul ball or a Hail Mary. Either way, he was untouched when he threw the football. He just fell on his right shoulder, which his injury shows is his left shoulder. It’s unfortunate, so obviously he was holding the pain in for a couple of plays.”

If Mayfield is out for next Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium, Bowles said he has confidence backup Teddy Bridgewater would do a good job after preparing all week.

“He’s a different quarterback, so, schematically, we’ll have to do some different things to make him feel comfortable within the offense and do a lot of things he’d like to do‚" Bowles said. “There are some similar things, but there are some differences that way to make him more comfortable.

“He’s been here long enough to where, if he had to go, we can tweak it the right way where he can be successful.”

Make no mistake, however, Mayfield brings energy, life and belief to the huddle that cannot be replaced.

He’s having one of his best seasons, with 2,406 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also has extended game-winning drives with his feet. There was the fourth-and-10 conversion against the Texans, as well as comeback wins over the Falcons, Jets and Seahawks.

“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. “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 advantage Bridgewater may have if he plays is the return of running back Bucky Irving, who has been out since sustaining foot and shoulder injuries Sept. 28 against the Eagles.

“(Irving’s) going to practice all this week,” Bowles said, “and if he’s well by Friday, he’ll play on Sunday.”

Wide receiver Chris Godwin returned to the lineup Sunday night and had two catches for 9 yards on four targets in limited action. Receivers Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans, and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey all could be back from injury before the end of the season, Bowles said.

“J-Mac, Mike and Kancey have been working out and running,” Bowles said. ”Training hard, working their best to get back, and sprint-wise they’re doing well. Other than that, we’ll have to see. I think they’ll all be back before the season is out, and I just can’t tell you when."

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