Baker Mayfield vows to play through pain of sore ribs against Panthers
TAMPA — Had the Bucs practiced Wednesday, sore ribs would have kept Baker Mayfield from participating. But the quarterback made it painfully obvious why he plans to do everything in his power to play Sunday: for a chance to win the NFC South title with a win at Carolina, a team that discarded him a year ago.
“I’ll do everything I can to be out there, that’s for sure,” he said. “The division on the line, playoff hopes on the line, going back to Carolina? Yeah, I’ll do everything I can.”
Mayfield was injured after completing a two-point conversion pass to Chris Godwin (later reversed) in last week’s 23-13 loss to the Saints. He was hit in the ribs late by safety Tyrann Mathieu, who was penalized for roughing the passer.
Mayfield finished the game, but head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield has not been cleared to practice. As a result, backup Kyle Trask will receive increased reps this week.
“He’s been preparing all year, and if Baker is sore (Thursday), Kyle will get the reps and we’ll kind of go from there,” Bowles said. “We’ll have to see how (Mayfield) is feeling.”
Trask has appeared in just two games this season, throwing an incompletion after Mayfield injured an ankle on a failed quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line Nov. 26 at Indianapolis and taking a knee two weeks earlier in a win over Tennessee.
In his third pro season out of Florida, Trask has completed only 3 of 10 passes for 23 yards and no touchdowns.
Although Mayfield was upbeat Wednesday, Bowles said the rib injury is worrisome.
“You’re always concerned when one of your star players are hurt, so we’ll see how it goes,” Bowles said. “We have every confidence in Trask if he has to play. Baker is going to try and play. If he’s not healthy, he can’t play. If he’s healthy, he will.”
In 2020, Mayfield sustained a rib injury but led the Browns to a win over the Colts. He said the best medicine right now is rest.
“I’m pretty sore, but I’m good,” Mayfield said. “It’s just one of those things that are tender. I’ve dealt with rib injuries before, but rest and just as the week goes on it always helps.
“You know, obviously I didn’t really test it out (Wednesday). Just more mental reps for everybody. But yeah, I’ve just got to see. Like I said, I haven’t tested it out. I’ve just got to get loose, and I’m sure by the time we get closer to game time I’ll be rolling. Especially where we’re sitting right now situation-wise.”
Mayfield said x-rays after the loss to the Saints and further testing all came back negative. But if he plays, he will have to stay on the move to prevent the ribs from hurting.
“It’s one of those things where you just have to constantly stay warm,” Mayfield said. “You can’t let it tighten up. You’ve just got to continually be loose, whether it’s hot packs on the sideline. Just making sure you get the extra work in. Every one of them is different, but yeah. Especially for a quarterback having to rotate to throw, you’ve just got to stay loose.”
Mayfield wasn’t the only Buc who would not have practiced Wednesday had the team had more than a walkthrough. Cornerback Carlton Davis (concussion) was listed as limited. Tight end Ko Kieft (shoulder), safety Kaevon Merriweather (limited) and tackle Tristan Wirfs (shoulder) also did not practice.
Mayfield has extra motivation against the Panthers. After being traded there last season, he was benched after a 1-5 start and eventually asked to be placed on waivers, where he was claimed by the Rams.
If need be, Mayfield said he would consider wearing some extra protection for his ribs, such as a flak jacket.
“We’ll see what we can do, maybe Kevlar,” Mayfield said. “We’ll see. I don’t want to be too puffy.”
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