Winless Bucs, rookie Daniels visit Cowboys; Tyler Smith questionable
The 0-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the 2-2 Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels makes his second start, with Baker Mayfield out. Dallas lists guard Tyler Smith as questionable after his first full practice since thumb surgery, and the Cowboys are 14-point favorites.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still looking for their first win. The 0-4 Bucs visit the 2-2 Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game streams on Prime Video, with Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit calling it.
Tampa Bay will again start Jalon Daniels, an undrafted rookie. Starter Baker Mayfield is out with a right thumb injury, the team's injury report shows. Daniels became the first undrafted rookie to start for the Bucs in Week 4, a 17-14 loss to Green Bay. He threw for 148 yards and a touchdown and ran for 55 yards, but he also threw two first-half interceptions. Thursday is his first road start.
"Play free, go out there, play with passion, and fire the troops up," Daniels said of his plan.
Dallas may get a key lineman back. Left guard Tyler Smith has not played this season after thumb surgery. He was a full participant in practice Wednesday, his first full practice since his return window opened, and he is listed as questionable, Pro Football Talk reported.
The Cowboys ruled out cornerback Cobie Durant, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tackle Drew Shelton, all with hamstring injuries. Receiver Jonathan Mingo is questionable with an illness. Star receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. have no injury designation. Tampa Bay ruled out safety Antoine Winfield Jr., cornerback Benjamin Morrison and linebacker SirVocea Dennis along with Mayfield.
The matchup pits a strong offense against a strong defense. Dallas ranks second in the NFL at 30.5 points per game, and Lamb leads the league with 37 catches and 498 yards. But the Cowboys' defense ranks 30th in yards allowed. Tampa Bay's defense ranks fourth in yards allowed, and it has held three straight opponents to 285 yards or fewer. The Buccaneers' website lists Dallas as a 14-point favorite.
Dallas has owned this series. The Cowboys lead the regular-season matchup 14-6 and have won all three playoff meetings. Dallas also won the last regular-season game, 26-24 in 2024.
What we know: Mayfield is out, and Smith is questionable after a full practice.
What we don't: Whether Smith will be active Thursday night.
Where outlets agree Both the Buccaneers' website and Pro Football Talk list Tyler Smith as questionable after a full practice Wednesday.
Where they differ Pro Football Talk says Smith is trending toward his season debut, while the Buccaneers' injury report still lists him on injured reserve within his 21-day return window.