Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield gets unexpected help from World Series team to make return after injury

Mayfield is returning after missing three games with a thumb injury to his throwing hand Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is making his return this week against the Carolina Panthers, after missing the last three games with a right thumb injury. And to make his return to action a little easier, he got an assist from a World Series team. Mayfield will wear a custom glove to help protect his throwing thumb, given to him by the Tampa Bay Rays training staff. The Buccaneers reached out to Nike, which made a custom protective glove for MLB star Mike Trout. The inquiry led the Rays, who are playing in the 2026 World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, to offer to help.

The Rays sent a member of the equipment staff to the Bucs' facility to meet with Mayfield and make the glove for him. According to the Tampa Bay Times, clubhouse attendant Nick Bond modified a wide receiver glove by removing material around the thumb and adding an insert for protection. Two gloves were made: one with hard plastic and another resembling a soft cast. Here is the glove #Bucs QB Baker Mayfield will wear to protect his dislocated thumb, with thanks to the @RaysBaseball training staff. pic.twitter.com/nUtenahRUy "[It's] not restricting because it's on the backside. … For me, just