Mayfield, Bucs can’t recover

Baker Mayfield came out swinging on Tampa Bay’s first series in Indianapolis, but a right ankle injury changed everything.

After seeing the Buccaneers squander a rare chance for an opening possession touchdown, Mayfield valiantly returned. He missed only two offensive snaps before trotting back on to the field, trying to rally the Bucs from an early 14-point deficit despite looking neither as efficient nor effective following the injury.

“Ankle stuff ’s really not fun,” he said after a 2720 loss at Indianapolis. “Really not sure what exactly happened, I’ll have to see the film. Didn’t feel very good, but just had [trainer] Bobby [Slater] and the team tape me up again as much as they possibly could. But it will be pretty sore tomorrow.”

Mayfield was hurt when the Bucs (4-7) called a QB keeper on first and goal from the Colts 1-yard line. When players stood up, the sore Mayfield stayed down apparently unaware Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner’s knee looked as if it drove Mayfield’s leg awkwardly toward the turf. It didn’t take long for things to go awry. Offensive lineman Aaron Stinnie was called for a false start even before Kyle Trask officially took his first snap. When play resumed, Rachaad White was stopped for 2-yard gain and then Chris Godwin couldn’t get both feet inbounds on what would have been a TD catch.

Instead, the Bucs settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead — and that was just the start.

When Mayfield returned, he was picked off on his second throw by linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr.

Indy needed four plays to convert the turnover into the first of Jonathan Taylor’s two TD runs, grabbing a 10-3 lead late in the first quarter.

Mayfield finished the game going 20 of 30 with 199 yards, two touchdowns, and the interception. He lost a fumble with 1:29 left to seal the Colts’ victory. The ankle injury also prevented him from eluding the Colts’ constant pressure, resulting in a season-high six sacks allowed by an offensive line that had given up just 20 all season.