Will Baker Mayfield play against the Panthers in Week 18? Bucs QB’s injury status
There are doubts over the fitness of Bucs quarterback Mayfield, ahead of Tampa Bay’s crunch clash with the Carolina Panthers.
There are question marks over the fitness of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, as Tampa Bay prepares for next weekend’s season-defining matchup with division rivals the Carolina Panthers.
In Week 18, the Buccaneers host the Panthers in a showdown for the NFC South title - and the division’s sole 2025 playoff spot.
What injury does Baker Mayfield have?
Mayfield has started all 16 of Tampa Bay’s games so far this season, but was only a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice session. The franchise says the 30-year-old was affected by shoulder and knee issues.
His game status is currently listed as “unspecified” on the Buccaneers’ Week 18 injury report.
Tampa Bay says four players - Jamel Dean (shoulder), Benjamin Morrison (hamstring), Anthony Nelson (knee) and Tristan Wirfs (toe) - were unable to take part at all on Tuesday.
An eight-year NFL veteran, Mayfield has thrown for 3,490 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025. He has also registered 351 rushing yards, for one touchdown.
Panthers vs Buccaneers: date, times, how to watch
In Week 18 of the 2025 NFL regular season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Kickoff at Raymond James Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.
In the U.S., the game will air nationally on ESPN, ABC and ESPN Deportes. Your streaming options include the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
How can the Bucs make the 2025 NFL playoffs?
Although they head into Week 18 on a four-game losing run, victory over the 8-8 Panthers would put the 7-9 Buccaneers in a good position to lift the NFC South title and secure the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
But Tampa Bay doesn’t only need a win: it also needs Week 18’s other all-NFC South clash to go its way. The 7-9 Falcons have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but if Atlanta wins its Week 18 clash with the Saints, it would beat the Bucs in a potential three-way tie with Carolina and Tampa Bay.
Only a division title will be enough for playoff qualification from the NFC South; neither the Panthers nor the Buccaneers have a good enough record to claim a Wild Card berth.
NFC South - as it stands ahead of Week 18:
- 1. Panthers - 8-8
- 2. Buccaneers - 7-9
- 3. Falcons - 7-9
- 4. Saints - 6-10
NFC playoff picture - as it stands ahead of Week 18:
Clinched playoffs:
1. Seahawks - 13-3
2. Bears - 11-5
3. Eagles - 11-5
5. 49ers - 12-4
6. Rams - 11-5
7. Packers - 9-6-1
Yet to clinch playoffs:
4. Panthers - 8-8
11. Buccaneers - 7-9
Eliminated from playoffs:
8. Vikings - 8-8
9. Lions - 8-8
10. Cowboys - 7-8-1
12. Falcons - 6-9
13. Saints - 6-10
14. Commanders - 4-12
15. Cardinals - 3-13
16. Giants - 3-13
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