Bucs QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder) makes early exit vs. Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was ruled out for the second half because of a left shoulder injury against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in Inglewood, Calif.

The Bucanneers initially announced that he was doubtful to return after halftime before he was downgraded to out. He was replaced by veteran Teddy Bridgewater to start the second half.

Mayfield first started to show shoulder discomfort after a 7-yard scramble just before the midway point of the second quarter. He finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson but went to the sideline medical tent immediately after the score.

Mayfield returned to complete the remainder of the first half but was slow to get up when he went to the ground after he unleashed a downfield pass on the final play before halftime that was intercepted by Emmanuel Forbes Jr. He immediately reached to his left shoulder while on the ground.

The Buccaneers trailed 31-7 at halftime.

Mayfield completed 9 of 19 passes for 41 yards with a TD and two interceptions, one of which was returned 50 yards for a touchdown by the Rams' Cobie Durant in the first quarter.

The 41 passing yards were third fewest for Mayfield in a first half of a start in his career.

Mayfield, 30, entered the game completing 63.5% of his passes for 2,365 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 starts.

In eight NFL seasons, that included five games with the Rams in 2022, Mayfield has completed 62.7% of his passes for 27,238 yards, 189 TDs and 95 interceptions.

--Field Level Media