2026 Week 6 Fantasy Football Breaking News: Baker Mayfield Expected to Practice Wednesday

Baker Mayfield is trending toward a return, according to ProFootballTalk (NBC Sports). Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Mayfield — who has missed three straight games with a dislocated right thumb — is expected to practice Wednesday. "He's supposed to practice Wednesday," Bowles said. "We're gonna take a good look at him there, and we'll kind of evaluate him during the week and see how he does." No official return date has been confirmed.

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield is currently listed as out, and his status for Week 6 against Carolina remains genuinely uncertain — Bowles explicitly said the team will construct a game plan accounting for both quarterbacks. Wednesday's practice is the key data point to watch. If he's limited or sits out again, lean toward him being a hold. If he goes full, a Week 6 return becomes realistic and he jumps back into QB2 conversation depending on the matchup. Don't drop him — he's one practice away from being back in play.

Jalon Daniels

Daniels has been Tampa Bay's starter for the past three weeks, going 1-2 in those games. Against Pittsburgh on Sunday, he completed 22 of 43 passes for 164 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in an overtime loss — not a line that inspires confidence. Bowles confirmed Daniels will be in meetings alongside Mayfield all week, meaning his hold on the starting job is explicitly up for grabs. In PPR or standard formats, Daniels is a risky streamer at best heading into Week 6. If Mayfield is cleared to start, Daniels loses essentially all fantasy value immediately.

The connection between these two players is the story here. Mayfield's return doesn't just affect his own fantasy outlook — it directly ends Daniels' window. Monitor Wednesday's practice report closely before making any roster decisions involving either Buc quarterback.