The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a bit of a tailspin. Not only have they dropped three games in a row, but they’ve lost four out of their last five overall.

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To make matters worse, as the losses keep piling up, as do the injuries

The negative events that have plagued the Bucs this season officially culminated moments before halftime during the team’s embarrassing loss to the Rams on Sunday night when QB Baker Mayfield injured his left shoulder. As the final seconds of the first half ticked away, the Bucs’ QB could be seen laying face down on the turf following a failed Hail Mary attempt. Shortly thereafter, Mayfield gingerly made his way to the tunnel with the help of trainers as he grasped his left shoulder, unable to return to the game.

Thankfully, the injury was not as serious as it looked. An MRI on Monday revealed that Mayfield had suffered a sprained AC joint with no structural damage and would be able to return to play sooner rather than later.

Will Mayfield play this week vs. the Cardinals?

On Wednesday, Mayfield met with the media where he discussed his status heading into this week’s contest vs. the Cardinals. When asked about the pain, Mayfield said it is “decreasing for sure… It’s pain tolerance, management, at that point. See how it goes through the week and go from there. “

Mayfield also implied that his past experience dealing with an injury to this same shoulder may motivate him to take a more patient approach as opposed to rushing back too soon.

“Understanding that we have Teddy, and I’ve been in this spot before, in the non-throwing shoulder, and if it’s going to hinder how I play, probably won’t go,” Mayfield said. “But won’t know that until later in the week, getting practice reps, and seeing how that goes.”

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Based on his comments on Wednesday, it’s obvious that Mayfield is willing to do what is best for the team — even if that means sitting out this week’s game vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

“Every game, in my eyes, is a must-win playoff scenario. But understanding that if I sit one game out, and that provides me to be healthier for down the stretch, then that’s how I’m going to look at it.”