Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Is Baker Mayfield Playing Sunday? Buccaneers QB Expected Back vs. Panthers With Thumb Glove

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Carolina, but that designation looks like a formality. Barring a setback in the next 24 hours, Mayfield is expected to return against the Panthers, Tom Pelissero reported Saturday, after Todd Bowles set a Friday deadline to make the call.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Kenneth Gainwell Is the Third-Down Back the Bengals or Packers Should Target From Tampa Bay

Kenneth Gainwell signed with Tampa Bay to be the passing-down piece in a backfield built around Bucky Irving. Six games in, Irving has taken those snaps, too, which makes Gainwell one of the more practical names on The Athletic’s Daniel Popper’s trade deadline big board.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

NFL Admits Officials Made Mistake Against Buccaneers

The NFL has acknowledged a significant officiating error from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 5 matchup against Dallas. Defensive lineman Calijah Kancey was penalized for illegal hands to the face, despite the Cowboys committing the infraction.

Chicago Bears News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last 300-yard game by NFL team' quiz

How many of the most recent NFL quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards in a game for each team can you name in five minutes?

The ''Madden' cover athletes' quiz

The 'Five game-winning-drives in a season' quiz

The 'NFL QB playoff debut-winners' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Athlon Sports / October 24

Buccaneers' Former Third-Round Pick Could Be the Deadline's Cheapest Pass-Rush Fix

Tampa Bay has a decision to make on the edge, and YaYa Diaby sits right in the middle of it. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper put the Buccaneers’ 2023 third-round pick on his trade deadline big board as a cheap option for contenders tight against the cap, and a week of questions about Todd Bowles has only made selling easier to picture.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI / October 24

Buccaneers Hit With Major Blow Ahead of Panthers Matchup

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' calamitous start to the 2026 season took another hit this week when two key starters, RT Luke Goedeke and WR Emeka Egbuka, popped up on the injury report ahead of the team's first NFC South matchup of the season vs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

Predicted Stat Line: Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter vs Carolina

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to North Carolina for a Week 7 divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Josiah Trotter will look to continue his impressive rookie campaign while helping Tampa Bay contain Carolina’s rushing attack.

Cody Mauch News / PewterReport.com / October 24

Slivon’s Slant: Bucs’ Offensive Identity Crisis, Cody Mauch On O-Line Progress

The Bucs’ offensive struggles go beyond execution. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has struggled to build a game plan that keeps defenses guessing, and Tampa Bay’s lack of success on opening drives has become increasingly concerning.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles Faces Growing Pressure

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Carolina this Sunday, sitting at 1-5 and facing mounting pressure. Much of the criticism has centered on head coach Todd Bowles and his leadership.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season

NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

Predicted Stat Line: Buccaneers RB Kenneth Gainwell vs Carolina

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to North Carolina for a Week 7 divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Kenneth Gainwell could play an important role by contributing as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

Buccaneers Lose Three Key Starters for Week 7

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without three important starters for their Week 7 matchup. The team officially ruled out wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive tackle Luke Goedeke and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'World Series Game 1 starters' quiz

The 'World Series managers' quiz

The 'Last 300-yard game by NFL team' quiz

The 'ALCS MVPs' quiz

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

Predicted Stat Line: Buccaneers LB Alex Anzalone vs Carolina

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to North Carolina for a Week 7 divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Alex Anzalone will look to lead Tampa Bay’s defense while containing Carolina’s rushing attack and limiting opportunities over the middle.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / EssentiallySports / October 24

NFL Admits Officiating Error That Hurt Buccaneers During Cowboys Clash

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to stun the Dallas Cowboys into a defeat. However, there was a moment in the game that became a minor hurdle for the Bucs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Bucs Report / October 24

Buccaneers Expect Baker Mayfield to Start Against Panthers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect Baker Mayfield to return as their starting quarterback Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield missed three games after dislocating his right thumb during Tampa Bay’s Week 3 loss to Minnesota.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / EasySportz / October 23

Buccaneers vs. Panthers Preview: Carolina Looks to Protect Its Division Lead

The Carolina Panthers will return home Sunday afternoon looking to continue their recent success when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a crucial NFC South matchup.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Athlon Sports / October 23

3 Bold Predictions as the Buccaneers Square Off With the NFC South-Leading Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have watched this team blow a lead in almost every way imaginable, and the last one still stings. A 16-3 lead over Pittsburgh

Baker Mayfield News / Athlon Sports / October 23

4 Bold Predictions in the Panthers' NFC South Showdown With Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers

Carolina Panthers fans haven’t had many October Sundays like this one. Carolina is 3-2, alone in first place in the NFC South, and gets a 1-5 Tampa Bay team at Bank of America Stadium with Baker Mayfield coming back from a thumb injury.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / PewterReport.com / October 24

Bucs Rule 3 Players Out For Sunday’s Game

The Bucs will be without three important players for their upcoming road game against the Panthers on Sunday. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, right tackle Luke Goedeke and safety Antoine Winfield are all out, while quarterback Baker Mayfield makes his return for the first time in Week 3.

NFL News / PewterReport.com / October 23

Bucs at Panthers: Pewter Preview And Predictions

WHEN: Sunday, October 25, 2026 | WHERE: Bank of America Stadium | KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m. ET | TV: FOX PLAY-BY-PLAY: Kevin Kugler | ANALYST: Daryl Johnston

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / Athlon Sports / October 23

Buccaneers Are Two One-Score Games From Tying an NFL Record Held by the 1989-90 Chargers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans who fill Raymond James Stadium haven’t had a comfortable fourth quarter in almost a year. Each of the Bucs’ past 12 games has been decided by eight points or less, the longest active streak in the NFL, according to ESPN Research.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / October 23

Buccaneers Rule Out Three For Week 7, Including WR Emeka Egbuka

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially ruled out WR Emeka Egbuka, OT Luke Goedeke, and S Antoine Winfield Jr. for Week 7. It’s a tough break for Tampa Bay, as they’ll be without their top receiver, safety, and starting offensive tackle. Rick Stroud reported weeks ago that Winfield was expected to miss two to four weeks with a rib fracture.