Baker Mayfield still out, Hurts sidelined vs. Panthers: NFC South roundup

There were no games on the NFC South slate yesterday, but Week 6 preparation brought two major quarterback storylines impacting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Atlanta Falcons also tweaked their depth chart on defense, while things stayed quiet in New Orleans.

Buccaneers: Mayfield to miss his third straight start

According to Pro Football Rumors, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is set to miss his third consecutive game. Early projections that he would be sidelined for at least three weeks after dislocating his right thumb have proven accurate. Pro Football Rumors notes he did not practice on Thursday, citing Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson confirmed that Mayfield will remain out. For a 1-4 Buccaneers team trying to keep its season afloat, another week without its starting quarterback raises the pressure on the rest of the offense.

Panthers: Hurts ruled out for Eagles matchup

The Carolina Panthers (2-2) were pulled into the national spotlight not by their own injury report, but by news about their next opponent. CBS Sports reports that Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been ruled out of Philadelphia’s Week 6 game against Carolina due to what is described as a superficial blood clot. CBS Sports adds that a follow-up ultrasound this week showed movement in the clot, which was originally discovered before the Eagles’ London game. Pro Football Rumors likewise notes that the team characterized it as a small, superficial clot in Hurts’ leg and confirmed he will not play Sunday. That development significantly changes the matchup for Carolina’s defense, which will now prepare for an Eagles offense led by someone other than its usual starter.

Falcons and Saints: minor move in Atlanta, quiet in New Orleans

For the Atlanta Falcons (2-3), Pro Football Rumors lists a minor transaction: the team released safety Jammie Robinson as part of Thursday’s league-wide roster moves. The rest of that report focused on other clubs. As for the New Orleans Saints (1-4), there were no notable headlines, transactions, or injury updates tied to the team over the last 24 hours, leaving them off the news radar as they continue preparations for Week 6.

With the Panthers at 2-2, the Falcons at 2-3, and the Buccaneers and Saints both at 1-4, the NFC South remains tightly packed. The latest quarterback developments in Tampa Bay and in Philadelphia’s camp ahead of the Panthers game could play a key role in how the division race evolves in the coming weeks.