The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for their second win of the season when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 on Sunday. The Buccaneers started the season 0-4, but pulled off a 24-16 upset of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5 thanks to a strong running game by Bucky Irving, who rushed for 165 yards and a score on 21 carries. The win was the first of backup quarterback Jalon Daniels' career.
It appears the Buccaneers will be counting on Daniels to get his second win on Sunday. More news: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More news: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Per multiple reports, Daniels is set to start against the Steelers as Baker Mayfield was not back to practice on Thursday. Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb on his right (throwing) hand in the Buccaneers' 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
On Wednesday, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield is getting better, but Tampa Bay does not want to start him if he's not playing at 100% on game day, and that could mean he doesn't get the start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. Nothing has changed," Bowles said of Mayfield's status, via The Tampa Bay Times. "I mean, he's getting better.
We'll see how much he throws and how he looks... I can't answer that until he throws the ball, where he's at. If he's not 100%, he doesn't need to play." Daniels, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, went 19 of 25 passing for 189 yards and one touchdown in the Buccaneers' win over the Cowboys.
But that came against one of the league's worst defenses (and with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. made inactive due to an illness). Through three games, Daniels has thrown for 337 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He's played well, but Tampa Bay needs its franchise quarterback back as soon as possible to make a push in the NFC South.
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