CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three times in six weeks now, the Carolina Panthers have had to build a defensive game plan without knowing which quarterback will line up across from them.
The NFC South-leading Panthers, 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the division, host the 1-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. It is Tampa Bay’s first division game of the season.
The question is Baker Mayfield. The veteran has missed three games since dislocating the thumb on his throwing hand in Week 3, and on Wednesday he took part in practice for the first time since, listed as a full participant while wearing a glove. Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield looked better as practice went on and that the team will watch how the hand responds before deciding on Sunday.
If Mayfield cannot go, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels makes his fourth start. Daniels is 1-2 as a starter, with Tampa Bay’s lone win coming against Dallas in Week 5, and has thrown for 501 yards with three touchdowns, five interceptions and nine sacks taken. He has also run for 126 yards on 20 carries. Mayfield completed 61 of 96 passes for 615 yards, two scores and two picks before the injury.
Carolina has handled this before and won both times, against Atlanta in Week 2 and at Philadelphia in Week 6. Panthers coach Dave Canales, who coached Mayfield for a season as the Bucs offensive coordinator, said he expects the tough-minded quarterback to play if he is practicing, but the team is preparing for both.
Injuries are a factor on both sidelines. Carolina outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Thomas Incoom missed Wednesday’s practice. Tampa Bay held out five players, among them running back Bucky Irving, receiver Emeka Egbuka and tackle Luke Goedeke. Updated injury reports come Thursday.
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