Report: Bucs' Mayfield will play despite ankle, rib injuries

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield will play vs. Eagles despite ankle, rib injuries

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 1/14/24

It appears Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will suit up in Monday night's wild-card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported the 28-year-old will play even though he's listed as questionable with ankle and rib injuries and was limited in practice Friday and Saturday.

As of Sunday, ESPNBet lists the Eagles as a three-point favorite. However, the Buccaneers have a decent chance to upset the defending conference champions in their home playoff game.

Tampa Bay is one of the hottest teams in the NFL, as it's won five of its last six games. Meanwhile, Philadelphia has lost five of its last six.

Mayfield exceeded expectations this season, serving as a solid Tom Brady replacement and leading the Buccaneers to their fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

In 17 regular-season games, the former No. 1 overall pick finished seventh in the league in passing TDs (28) and ninth in passing yards (4,044).

SHEESH! A 52 yd TD for David Moore!

: #TBvsGB on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/HHjcnKui3c
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

Mayfield is on a fully guaranteed one-year, $4M contract. If he beats Philadelphia, he could earn an extension, solidifying his future with the franchise.

"Those are all great things. I'm not going to not acknowledge it, at least, but our goal is much bigger than just winning the division and for me to have a great year," Mayfield recently said of his future, via Fred Goodall of the Associated Press. "We expected that within this building. We're in the playoffs now, so it's a singular focus on the Eagles."

The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year has made one postseason appearance in five seasons. When he was with the Cleveland Browns in 2020, he went 1-1, completing 62% of his passes for four TDs, one pick and an above-average 94 passer rating.

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