Bucs QB Baker Mayfield sidelined with a hand injury at 2024 camp. Kyle Trask steps up as Godwin & Wirfs also nurse injuries. How serious are the Bucs' woes?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
A collective gasp could be heard around Buccaneers training camp on Friday as quarterback Baker Mayfield was held out of practice, nursing a contusion on his throwing hand. While the team insists the injury isn't serious, his absence cast a shadow over a day already clouded by a growing list of sidelined players and a significant move involving the team's heaviest player.
It's just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player on the field.
The good news is that scans on Baker Mayfield's throwing hand revealed no fractures or serious damage, leading to a 'day-to-day' diagnosis. The bad news is that any missed time for a starting QB in a new camp is significant. His absence thrust backup Kyle Trask into the spotlight, giving him the lion's share of first-team reps. For Trask, this is a critical, unexpected opportunity to build chemistry with the starters and make a case for himself. While the team remains publicly committed to Baker, every successful drive Trask leads in his absence will add a new layer of intrigue to the quarterback competition.
Mayfield is far from the only Buc in the medical tent. The injury report is starting to look like a Pro Bowl roster, with OT Tristan Wirfs (knee), WR Chris Godwin (ankle), and TE Cade Otton (hamstring) all still sidelined. While Coach Bowles remains 'hopeful' Godwin will be ready for Week 1 after a second ankle procedure, hope isn't a timeline. The list extends to key depth pieces and rookies, with LB Anthony Walker Jr. (knee) and G Sua Opeta (ACL) out, and rookie OLB David Walker unfortunately lost for the season after ACL surgery. This early wave of injuries is already forcing the team to lean on its depth.
In one of the day's most significant moves, massive defensive tackle Desmond Watson was placed on the non-football injury list. Listed at over 450 pounds, the team made the decision to sideline him until he can improve his conditioning. Head coach Todd Bowles was direct, stating the goal is to make Watson 'a healthier player on the field.' There is no timetable for his return, leaving a literal huge hole in the defensive line rotation and putting the focus squarely on the young man's health and future.
Despite the grim injury news, camp life churned on. The front office was busy, signing rookie WR Jaden Smith and RB Owen Wright to plug holes and increase competition. The practice also had a touch of star power, as NFL legend Deion Sanders was in attendance to watch his son, safety Shilo Sanders, compete. It's a reminder that even when star players are out, the 'next man up' mentality is in full effect and the battle for roster spots is as fierce as ever.
All eyes will be on the quarterback position in the coming days. Will Mayfield's hand heal quickly, or will Kyle Trask get a legitimate opportunity to prove he deserves the starting job? With the preseason opener approaching and the injury list growing, the Buccaneers' depth and resilience are being tested earlier than anyone hoped. Saturday's practice just became appointment viewing.
