Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur called Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels a very talented player Friday, two days before Daniels makes his first NFL start.
Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb in last Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Buccaneers said he will miss a minimum of three weeks.
Tampa Bay sits at 0-3 and hosts the Packers on Sunday. Green Bay entered the week at 1-2.
Daniels has played four snaps in the regular season. All of them came after Mayfield left the Vikings game. He threw three passes, completed none to his teammates and threw one interception. He also rushed once for nine yards.
The Buccaneers signed veteran Jake Browning in the offseason to back up Mayfield. Browning was hurt and missed the preseason opener. Tampa Bay later released him and kept Daniels, an undrafted free agent out of Kansas.
Daniels will become the first undrafted rookie to start a regular season game at quarterback for the Buccaneers in more than 50 years of franchise history.
LaFleur, who spent three seasons coaching Aaron Rodgers and still calls the Packers’ offensive plays, offered a measured assessment of the new starter.
“Daniels, we’ve seen a little bit of him in the preseason, and he’s a guy that, through the scouting process coming out in the draft, a very talented player,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, he can beat you with his legs, as well. He has a big arm.”
Daniels spent six seasons at Kansas and appeared in 49 games. He finished his college career with 9,282 passing yards, 67 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions, according to Sports-Reference. He also rushed for 1,445 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Those totals placed him second on Kansas’ all-time passing list. He ranks 25th on the school’s career rushing list and is tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns.
In three preseason appearances this summer, Daniels completed 27 of 44 passes for one touchdown and no interceptions. He added 27 rushing yards and one rushing score.
Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon said this week that the team was still reviewing film on Daniels and described him as something of an unknown. Gannon noted that Daniels is mobile and can create explosive plays when he leaves the pocket.
Mayfield’s MRI showed no fracture and no significant ligament or tendon damage, according to reports. The Buccaneers expect him to avoid injured reserve, but he is not projected to return before Week 8 at the earliest.
Daniels told reporters Wednesday that Mayfield’s advice was straightforward: stay composed and play as himself. The rookie called the start a dream come true.
The Packers’ defense allowed 35 points in a Week 3 loss to Atlanta. Containing a dual-threat quarterback with almost no regular-season tape will be a new test for that unit.
Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday in Tampa.
