NFL · Thursday, October 8, 2026
Bucs rule Baker Mayfield out for Thursday night in Dallas; rookie Jalon Daniels starts
The File desk · Oct 8, 2026, 10:41 AM UTC
Status
Confirmed from NFL.com's Wednesday roundup and its Thursday-night preview, both dated Oct. 7, 2026. Injury notes on Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley are from NFL.com and NFL Network, as attributed. No odds.
- Confirmed
Baker Mayfield is out Thursday with a right thumb injury. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make his second career start.
- Confirmed
Lamar Jackson did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Saquon Barkley did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is out for Thursday night's game at Dallas with a right thumb injury, NFL.com reported. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make his second career start. The Buccaneers are 0–4. The Cowboys are 2–2. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video. Elsewhere, Lamar Jackson did not practice Wednesday, and Saquon Barkley did not practice Wednesday. No odds.
Tampa Bay also lists linebacker SirVocea Dennis, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as out. Cowboys guard Tyler Smith, thumb, is questionable. How Mayfield hurt the thumb, and for how long he will be out, was not in the parts read.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Coach Jesse Minter said the team will figure out where Jackson stands later this week. Jackson sprained the ankle in Week 4 against Tennessee. NFL Network reported Oct. 6 that he has only an outside chance to play Sunday night. That chance is NFL Network's wording.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury. NFL Network reported Oct. 5 that he is week to week and avoided a long-term injury. The Eagles play in London on Sunday.
What is still unknown or disputed
- How Mayfield hurt his thumb, and how long he will be out.
- Whether Jackson or Barkley plays on Sunday.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
NFL news roundup from Wednesday, Oct. 7
NFL.com · October 7, 2026
Baker Mayfield (right thumb) is out for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-news-roundup-latest-league-updates-from-wednesday-oct-7
Source 2
Buccaneers vs. Cowboys: Three must-know storylines for Thursday's Week 5 prime-time game
NFL.com · October 7, 2026
The nightmarish stretch coincides with the second career start for QB Jalon Daniels, who is filling in for the injured Baker Mayfield.
https://www.nfl.com/news/buccaneers-vs-cowboys-three-must-know-storylines-for-thursday-s-week-5-prime-time-game
Source 3
NFL Network: Lamar Jackson dealing with ankle sprain, outside chance to play in Week 5
NFL.com · October 6, 2026
only an outside chance to play Sunday night
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-network-lamar-jackson-dealing-with-ankle-sprain-outside-chance-to-play-in-week-5
Source 4
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring) considered week to week, avoids long-term injury
NFL.com · October 5, 2026
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring) considered week to week, avoids long-term injury
https://www.nfl.com/news/eagles-rb-saquon-barkley-hamstring-considered-week-to-week-avoids-long-term-injury