Carolina Panthers to Face Familiar Foe in Week 7

There will be no wait-and-see for the Carolina Panthers in terms of who they will face at quarterback in Week 7. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town for an NFC South battle, there was a question of who would start at quarterback.

Rookie Jalon Daniels started the prior three games with Baker Mayfield out. But now, it sounds like Mayfield is ready to return. 

The quarterback returned to practice this week and barring any setbacks, he is set to start in Week 7 against the Panthers. It will be Mayfield's first appearance since he left the Week 3 loss to Minnesota, after suffering a right thumb injury. 

As Mayfield returned to practice this week, he was a full participant in Wednesday and Thursday's practices. The Bucs even delayed his media availability, a sign of who will start at quarterback that week, to Thursday. That was to ensure he would be ready to go in terms of another practice as a full participant. 

When Mayfield met the media, he said he was "very confident" in his ability to grip the football. There is some ligament and tendon damage, but it wasn't enough to require surgery.

For Mayfield to practice and play, the Buccaneers used the help of the Tampa Bay Rays to get a specially made glove on his right hand. It includes a pad on the back side of the thumb to protect it from bending backward again, containing metal for reinforcement. 

While Mayfield feels good gripping and throwing the ball, being under center to take the snaps might be a challenge. That could lead to some opportunities for the Panthers' defense, especially if the play is off timing.  Still, this might be a bit of a different challenge than having to face a rookie like Daniels.

As Carolina enters this game at 3-2 and in first place in the NFC South, it's the first divisional game for the Buccaneers. Carolina will have the chance to basically end Tampa Bay's chances at the division this year, and they can protect their home field. It's a big early-season divisional game. 

The Panthers will look to keep rolling and are already 1-0 in the division, beating the Atlanta Falcons earlier this season on the road. 

The two teams will kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday as Week 7 is underway.