The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were already lagging against the Los Angeles Rams when Baker Mayfield gave them a shocker near the end of the first half. Mayfield ran to his left and threw the ball as far as he could. He immediately grabbed his left shoulder and went down in pain after the pass.

NFL doctor Jesse Morse claimed that it could be either an AC sprain type 2 or a dislocated shoulder. While the team has given no update on whether the injury will affect him in the long run, it definitely ended their chances of turning the game around. Teddy Bridgewater replaced Baker Mayfield in the second half.

As the third quarter began, they first announced Mayfield as “doubtful to return.” However, fans got a massive blow when they downgraded his status to “out” for the remaining game. As the Rams went ahead 31-7 with 3 minutes remaining in the game, their hopes of a Week 12 win were almost over.

Further visuals were far scarier as the injured signal caller came out of the tunnel wearing a sling for his left shoulder. It could be devastating for their playoff hopes, as the Carolina Panthers also have 6 wins. But they will play against the 49ers in Week 12. If they manage to win, they would move to the top of the NFC South division, while the Bucs will be out of the current NFC playoff picture.

Everyone is waiting to see what exactly happened to Baker Mayfield and the possible return timeline. He struggled with his left shoulder in 2021.

Fans reminded of Baker Mayfield’s 2021 issues

Four seasons ago, Mayfield was the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the second game of the season against the Houston Texans, he suffered a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder but kept on playing and won the game. While everyone thought he had overcome it, the issue resurfaced in the Week 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals, which they lost. He also suffered a tuberosity fracture in his left shoulder, forcing him to miss one game.

Baker Mayfield needed surgery to recover completely, but kept playing until the season ender against the Cincinnati Bengals in hopes of reaching the playoffs. Once those hopes ended, Dr. Orr Limpisvasti, the orthopedic surgeon for the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, performed the surgery. This issue has popped up again this year.

His repeated struggles with his left shoulder make this injury even more interesting. The Bucs are also in a precarious situation for the playoffs. Bridgewater’s 75-47 touchdown-interception ratio doesn’t give much hope. But nothing can be said until the Bucs confirm the injury status.

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With a 17-3 ratio, Mayfield was carrying them well. He was even in the MVP conversation a few weeks ago. Three consecutive losses have added to the burden, which might become too heavy if his injury turns out to be serious.