Jalon Daniels potentially in line for another Bucs start as Mayfield's return timeline remains unclear

The Buccaneers may be rolling with undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels for another week, as Ian Rapoport reports "potentially one more week" of Daniels under center with Baker Mayfield continuing to work his way back from a dislocated thumb suffered in Week 3.

Mayfield has missed two consecutive games since the injury, and while there had been optimism he could return as soon as Week 7 — Tampa Bay's first division game of the season at Carolina — the latest indication suggests the Bucs are preparing for another start from the undrafted free agent out of Kansas.

Daniels turned in an uneven performance in his second career start Sunday, a 26-23 overtime loss to the Steelers in which he threw for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception while completing 62% of his passes. The Buccaneers sit at 3-3 in the tight NFC South, where every game carries added weight. A fourth straight start for Daniels — and a third without Mayfield — would test Tampa Bay's ability to keep pace in the division race against the 4-2 Panthers.