Baker Mayfield Misses Second Straight Practice — Sunday in Doubt
Tampa Bay's QB1 (right thumb) sat out again Thursday, putting a third straight absence on the table. Godwin, meanwhile, is back to full go.
Two missed practices make Friday's report the only thing that matters.
- Mayfield (thumb) missed 2nd straight practice
- Already out Bucs' last 2 games
- Godwin back as full participant (rest)
- Steelers' Wilson & Skowronek ruled out
- Kickoff Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET
Baker Mayfield didn't practice again Thursday, the second day in a row he's sat out with the right thumb injury that's already cost Tampa Bay its last two games. That's not the trend you want 48 hours before kickoff. His availability for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET matchup with Pittsburgh is now firmly in doubt, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (rib) is in the same boat after a second missed session.
For context, Mayfield ranks #26 overall and #12 among quarterbacks in our 2026 model. Through three games this season (2026) he's posted 615 passing yards, two touchdowns, two picks, plus 65 rushing yards and a score — good for 39 PPR points. Not elite, but the rushing floor made him a usable streamer. Two straight non-participation days takes that off the table until he clears a practice.
The Bucs' Walking Wounded
It wasn't all bad news in Tampa. Running back Sean Tucker (quad) and corner Ayden Garnes (ankle) returned on a limited basis after sitting Wednesday. Chris Godwin Jr. (rest) was back as a full participant, which is the detail fantasy managers actually care about — a veteran getting a planned rest day, not a new injury.
Godwin sits at #166 overall and #58 at receiver in our rankings. His 2026 line is quiet — 19 catches, 179 yards, no touchdowns across five games, 39 PPR points — but that's partly a function of the quarterback carousel. If Mayfield can't go, Godwin's ceiling takes another hit regardless of his health.
Steelers Trending Up (Mostly)
Pittsburgh got arrows pointing the right way. Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and Keeanu Benton (ankle) were upgraded to limited, and running back Rico Dowdle (toe) practiced in full after a limited Wednesday. Dowdle — #53 overall, #18 among backs — is the fantasy name worth tracking there, even with just 65 total yards across two games (11 PPR points) so far in 2026. The Steelers remain without receivers Roman Wilson (finger) and Ben Skowronek (calf), both already ruled out.
Bottom line: don't do anything rash on Mayfield yet, but have your plan ready. Two missed practices means Friday's final report is the whole ballgame — if he's listed out or doubtful, pivot to a healthier streaming option and don't look back. Godwin stays rosterable but capped until the QB situation clears. Dowdle's full practice makes him a sneaky flex if you're thin.
