NFL Rumors: Baker Mayfield 'Should Be Good' for Bucs vs. Raiders After Injury Scare

Baker Mayfield suffered a leg injury on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after he was stepped on and was seen going into the injury tent and utilizing a walking boot following the 26-23 overtime win.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, however, "Mayfield should be good to go this week against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to league sources."

While Mayfield was sore after the game, he reportedly did not require additional testing. He only missed two plays during the contest due to the injury, though he did throw an interception on his first play back.

"I think he'll be comfortable game-time," head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday. "I'm not sure about his practice status during the week, though."

The 29-year-old is arguably having his best NFL season, throwing for 3,034 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 70.8 percent of his passes and taking 28 sacks. He's on pace to surpass his career highs in passing yards (4,044 yards last season) and touchdowns (28, also last season), while his completion percentage is also a career best.

The interceptions have been high, but Mayfield has earned some grace giving he's spent large chunks of the season without his top two receivers, Chris Godwin (out for the year with a dislocated ankle) and Mike Evans, who missed three games between late October and November with a hamstring issue.

The Bucs went 0-3 without Evans, part of a rough four-game losing streak. But with Evans back, the team has rattled off consecutive wins against the New York Giants and Panthers.

Tampa Bay now sits 6-6 on the year and finds itself in a battle with the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) for the NFC South crown. Losing Mayfield for any period of time would have been a brutal blow, even against the lowly Raiders (2-10).

Following the matchup with Las Vegas, the Bucs will close their season against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), Dallas Cowboys (5-7), the Panthers (3-9) and New Orleans Saints (4-8). That's a favorable slate as they fight for a playoff berth, but the health of players like Mayfield and Evans will be vital during that stretch.