Bucs-Panthers Inactives | Baker Mayfield Returns to Action QB Baker Mayfield will begin on Sunday against the Panthers after missing tHree games, yet WR Emeka Egbuka, T Luke Goedeke and S Antoine Winfield Jr. are all inactive in Week Seven Around the NFL against "It looked good for him," Bowles remarked after Friday's practice, "so he looks like he's ready to go." The veteran quarterback, who's missed the Bucs' previous three games due to a dislocated right (throwing) thumb, is officially listed as questionable to play. Article Article Article Oct 09, 2026 After starting 0-3 wiTh Mayfield prior to his injury, the Buccaneers have collected one win without him and undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels filling in admirably. at 1-5,the Bucs currently reside in the NFC South cellar, trailing the first-location Panthers (3-2), Atlanta Falcons (2-4) and New Orleans Saints (2-4). chances for an NFC South team to earn an NFC wild-card spot are increasingly slim, so for Tampa Bay to remain in contention for the division title, a victory on Sunday is crucial. Mayfield will be sporting a glove on his throwing hand,which could seize some getting used to. Regardless of his new equipment, Mayfield will need to improve his play pre-injury if the Bucs are to relocate forward. He posted just two touchdowns in his three starts with 205 yards per game, two interceptions and an 80.0 passer rating. Some good news for Mayfield is that he'll face a Panthers defense ranked 25th in yards allowed. The Panthers and Buccaneers were tied in the win-loss column at the conclude of last season at 8-9, but Carolina -- despite losing to Tampa Bay in the season finale -- went to the playoffs on a tiebreaker as the division champion. Mayfields answered the most prevailing question this week for the Bucs: Will he return? Now he'll look to answer the quandaries as to whether he can return to past peak form and save Tampa Bay's season, starting when the Bucs kick off against the host Panthers at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS © 2026 NFL Enterprises LLC. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League. The team names,logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. NFL footage © NFL Productions LLC.