What happened: Tom Pelissero reported Baker Mayfield is scheduled to have stitches removed from his thumb Monday, a key checkpoint in his recovery. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is pushing to return sooner than the three-week timetable attached to the injury last week.

Why it matters: The update gives Tampa Bay a defined marker after Mayfield was ruled out for at least three weeks. Any progress ahead of that window would affect the Buccaneers' plans at quarterback over the next stretch of the regular season.

What to watch: Monday is the next medical checkpoint in Mayfield's recovery. His on-field activity after that will offer the clearest read on whether he can narrow the expected return window.