Bucs wide receiver Ryan Miller (81) and head coach Todd Bowles, back in red hat, are among those showing concern after quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes a knee after the final play of the first half Sunday night in Inglewood, Calif. ©Mark J. TerrillRick Stroud, Times staffMon, November 24, 2025 at 3:48 AM UTC·2 min readThe Bucs’ season potentially is in a free fall after quarterback Baker Mayfield was forced out of Sunday night’s game against the Rams with a left shoulder injury.
Mayfield aggravated the injury he suffered earlier in the game, on a desperate Hail Mary pass attempt to close the first half.
It left Tampa Bay facing not just a deficit on the scoreboard but a far more unsettling question about the future of its toughest player — and its season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMayfield came out for the second half wearing warmups, with his left shoulder in a sling.
Backup Teddy Bridgewater replaced him to start the second half.
Mayfield initially injured the shoulder when he was hit after releasing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson with 5:03 to play in the second quarter.
The Bucs trailed 31-7 at halftime and were never really in the game.
Even though Mayfield was playing hurt, they decided to take one final shot at the end zone rather than just run out the clock after Mayfield was sacked with five seconds remaining in the half. His pass was intercepted by Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. as the half came to a close.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMayfield finished 9-of-19 passing for a season-low 41 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
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