The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are pushing to remain in NFC playoff contention, but there could be a huge blemish on the injury report leading up to a Week 16 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.

Baker Mayfield did not practice on Wednesday because of a knee injury, per Tom Pelissero on X, formerly Twitter. It's uncertain how serious the ailment is, but it's certainly not what the Buccaneers need, riding a four-game win streak.

Mayfield has thrown for 3,617 yards and 32 touchdowns in his seventh campaign, and has been locked in with star wide receiver Mike Evans as the tandem attempts to lead their squad to a playoff appearance. On a side note, Mayfield gives Evans the best opportunity to reach his incredible 1,000-yard milestone. He is currently sitting on 749 yards, and has three more games left to hit 1,000 yards for his 11th consecutive NFL season.

At 8-6, the Tampa Bay is looking like one of the league's strongest offenses with Mayfield under center. It would certainly make things difficult if the 29-year-old gunslinger finds himself on the injury report going into the weekend.

Buccaneers' Week 16 outlook if Baker Mayfield doesn't play

Dec 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Related Tampa Bay Buccaneers NewsArticle continues below
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) warms up before a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium.
Buccaneers’ Rachaad White makes thoughts on Bucky Irving relationship extremely clear
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium.
Ex-Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown reacts to Tom Brady’s comments on leaked DMs
Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders (21) looks up during the fourth quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome.
Shilo Sanders’ strategy to ingratiate himself with Buccaneers vets

The Buccaneers are very balanced offensively. As high-powered they are in the passing game, the backfield has been just as explosive with Rachaad White and Bucky Irving operating in a timeshare.

Each game is being treated like a must-win.

“We've done an exceptional job of starting fast,” said Mayfield, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. “Now it's about not taking your foot off the gas and still being consistent. Why have we started fast? Guys are executing the plan. Whatever is being called, we're executing at a high level. It's just got to stay that way. There needs to be no drop-off. You have to hit the reset button. It goes back to good or bad, the next play is the most important one.”

As the team continues to try and fend off the 7-7 Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South, it's doesn't go unnoticed that any potential Mayfield absence could spell trouble down the stretch.