Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield injury history & Setbacks

Baker Mayfield is an NFL quarterback who, as of 2025, plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His injury history covers his time from college football at Texas Tech and Oklahoma to his professional career in the league. He has dealt with knee injuries, concussions, shoulder dislocations, rib bruises, ankle sprains, and other setbacks that have tested his durability. This Baker Mayfield injury history provides a clear record of each injury and the circumstances around it. 

10/05/2013 — Knee (Texas Tech)

During his first year as a starting quarterback at Texas Tech Baker Mayfield had his promising Big 12 debut season interrupted when he went down with a right knee injury in the game against Kansas on October 5. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury called him “day to day” and there was never any indication of surgery or significant structural damage. It was one of those early bumps that didn’t derail the season but it did mark the first instance in Baker mayfield injury history that he was sidelined. 

11/21/2015 — Concussion (Oklahoma)

Two years later while leading Oklahoma in late season Big 12 play Mayfield took a string of hard hits in the first half against TCU. At halftime the decision was made to sit him for the remainder of the game after he was diagnosed with a concussion. Trevor Knight stepped in to finish the narrow 30–29 win in Norman. With the annual Bedlam matchup against Oklahoma State on the horizon the coaching staff and medical team took no chances. It was an important moment where Baker’s health was prioritized over finishing the game.

10/11/2020 — Ribs (Cleveland Browns)

Fast forward to the NFL in 2020, Mayfield was quarterbacking the Browns in a tough Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts when he absorbed multiple big hits to his midsection. He was checked for rib and chest injuries, but X-rays came back negative. The diagnosis was a bruise with some cartilage irritation. Despite the discomfort he faced during week 5, Baker was back in game for Week 6. 

09/19/2021 — Left shoulder dislocation, partial labrum tear (Cleveland Browns)

Week 2 of the 2021 season brought one of the most defining moments in baker mayfield injury history. After throwing an interception against Houston he tried to make a tackle and ended up dislocating his non-throwing left shoulder. Tests confirmed a partially torn labrum, but instead of opting for immediate surgery he wore a harness and continued to play the rest of the season. The injury became a storyline that followed him for months, influencing both his comfort and his mechanics on the field. 

10/07/2021 — Foot/heel (Cleveland Browns)

As if the shoulder wasn’t enough, just before a Week 5 game against the Chargers, Mayfield appeared on the injury report with a bruised heel. It was treated conservatively and he continued to start, managing multiple injuries at once in what became a physically challenging year for the quarterback. 

10/17/2021 — Left shoulder re-injury with associated fracture (Cleveland Browns)

In Week 6 against the Cardinals disaster struck again when Mayfield re-dislocated the same left shoulder. This time imaging revealed a non-displaced fracture in addition to the existing labrum tear. The short turnaround before the next game meant he had to sit out, but he returned the following week wearing extra protection. It was a clear example of him pushing through pain to stay on the field.

11/14/2021 — Right knee contusion (Cleveland Browns)

Just a month later in a game against the New England Patriots he took hits that left him with a right knee contusion. Thankfully there was no structural damage and he was able to get back to practice quickly, but it added yet another item to his injury list that season. 

12/20/2021 — COVID-19 positive (Cleveland Browns)

Late in the season a positive COVID-19 test kept him out of the Week 15 game against the Raiders, which had already been moved due to pandemic protocols. Cleveland had to turn to Nick Mullens for the start, marking that time in his career that his availability was taken away by something other than a physical injury.

01/19/2022 — Left shoulder labrum repair (Cleveland Browns)

Following that demanding 2021 campaign Mayfield finally had surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder. Performed by Dr. Orr Limpisvasti, the procedure was planned with enough time for him to recover before offseason work began. This surgery closed the book on a season where pain and injury management were a constant part of his routine.

10/09/2022 — High-ankle sprain, left (Carolina Panthers)

By 2022 Mayfield was in Carolina and in Week 5 against the 49ers he left in the second half with a high ankle sprain. The injury was managed without surgery or injured reserve, but it still sidelined him for 3 games. It was a reminder that even after shoulder surgery he was still battling the physical grind of the NFL.

10/22/2023 — Knee soreness, “pain tolerance” (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Now in Tampa Bay during the 2023 season, Mayfield came out of the Week 7 game against Atlanta Falcons with some knee soreness. With a Thursday night game against Buffalo just days away he told reporters it was nothing serious and a matter of pain tolerance, and he went on to start as planned. 

11/12/2023 — Right thumb hit on helmet (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Against Tennessee in Week 10, Mayfield struck his thumb on a defender’s helmet late in the game. He still finished the contest, and after testing the next day the team confirmed there was no significant damage. He was cleared to play against San Francisco without missing any time.

11/26/2023 — Right ankle sprain (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

In a Week 12 matchup with the Colts he injured his ankle on a goal-line sneak early in the game. After briefly stepping out for two plays he returned and finished the game. An MRI the next day came back clean, and he was able to practice through the soreness.

01/01/2024 — Ribs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

After a physical Week 17 game against the Saints Mayfield was diagnosed with rib soreness. X-rays ruled out a fracture, and head coach Todd Bowles said he’d be fine to play in Week 18’s division-clinching win over Carolina.

 

11/04/2024 — Toe (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Following the game against the Chiefs, Mayfield was listed as a non-participant early in the week with a sore toe. The issue improved quickly, allowing him to start as usual that weekend.

11/24/2024 — Stinger, initially questionable (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

In Week 12 against the Giants he briefly left the game after his head made contact with a teammate’s leg while going after a fumble. The initial concern was a stinger, and he was evaluated on the sideline before being cleared to return.

11/24/2024 — Stinger, returned and finished (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Mayfield came back into the game and led the team to a convincing 30–7 win. The stinger was treated as a minor incident with no long-term impact, keeping it a small but notable entry in baker mayfield injury history.