# Todd Bowles decides Baker Mayfield's Week 7 start

> Todd Bowles will decide if Baker Mayfield starts Week 7 game Friday after thumb injury.
- Title: Todd Bowles decides Baker Mayfield's Week 7 start · NBC Sports
- Summary: Todd Bowles will decide if Baker Mayfield starts Week 7 game Friday after thumb injury. Todd Bowles plans to determine whether Baker Mayfield starts Week 7…
- Keywords: baker mayfield, todd bowles, seahawks, nfl, week 7, thumb injury, carolina panthers, sports, Todd, Bowles, decides, Baker
- Source: NBC Sports — https://nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/todd-bowles-plans-to-decide-whether-baker-mayfield-will-start-week-7-on-friday
- Published: 2026-10-21T17:54:04.763+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: baker mayfield, todd bowles, seahawks, nfl, week 7, thumb injury, carolina panthers, sports
## Todd Bowles plans decision
Todd Bowles will decide whether Baker Mayfield starts Week 7 on Friday after missing last three games due to a dislocated right thumb.

> i think he’s coming along fine
## Mayfield practices with glove
Mayfield wore a glove on his right hand during Wednesday practice while splitting reps with Jalon Daniels.
## Bowles on Mayfield's condition
Bowles said Mayfield felt fine throwing with the glove and had done it before, but this thumb injury is different from past injuries.

> he said it felt good. he’s done it one time before, so he said it felt ok
## Decision timeline
Bowles will determine Mayfield's start status based on Friday's appearance and will not decide until then.

> see what he looks like friday and i’ll find out then
## Mayfield's injury context
This thumb injury differs from past shoulder and bruise injuries as it can be assessed through throwing mechanics and post-practice feeling.

> this one is a thumb, you can kind of gauge it off of how he throws, and how he feels, and how he takes snaps under center, and how he feels afterwards
## Mayfield's stats
Mayfield completed 63.5 percent of passes for 615 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions, and three lost fumbles in first three games.
## Start signal
If Mayfield participates fully in practice this week, he is likely to start against Carolina in Week 7.
## Key takeaway

Todd Bowles plans to determine whether Baker Mayfield starts Week 7 against Carolina on Friday based on his thumb injury recovery.