The Bucs look to right the sinking ship in Dallas on Thursday night.

They will be without two of their top defensive backs in Antoine Winfield Jr. and Benjamin Morrison. Both were ruled out on Wednesday’s injury report. Joining them are starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and reserve linebacker SirVocea Dennis.

Missing Starters

Baker Mayfield is the biggest blow. He will be missing his second game of the season and second game as a Buc. Rookie Jalon Daniels will be making his second career start and the team elevated practice squad quarterback Easton Stick for the second time to serve as Daniels’ backup. Similarly, backup safety Ifeatu Melifonwu will step into the starting lineup for Antoine Winfield Jr., while J.J. Roberts was promoted to the active roster to serve as depth and potentially play special teams.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Other Inactives

In addition to the players ruled out due to injury, three reserve players were left without a hat. All of them have been inactive multiple games this year already. They are:

• DL DeMonte Capehart
• OL Luke Haggard
• OG Billy Schrauth

The Bucs have plenty of depth along both lines, with no glaring injuries.

Players Inactive for Today’s Game vs. Dallas (10/8):

#6 QB Baker Mayfield
#8 LB SirVocea Dennis
#21 CB Benjamin Morrison
#31 S Antoine Winfield Jr.
#72 G Luke Haggard
#75 G Billy Schrauth
#90 DL DeMonte Capehart

Elevations:
#16 QB Easton Stick
#36 S J.J. Roberts

— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) October 8, 2026

Cowboys Inactives

Dallas has several notable inactives on the defensive side of the ball. The headliner is cornerback Joey Porter Jr. who was hoping to make his first start of the year after holding out due a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers that eventually led to him being traded to the Cowboys. Porter came down with an illness that will keep him out of the game tonight.

News just a couple hours before kickoff: The #Cowboys have ruled out CB Joey Porter Jr. with an illness.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2026

Joining him is linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, cornerback Cobie Durant. Both of them are starters. Backup outside linebacker James Houston is also inactive for tonight’s game.

The @dallascowboys inactives against Tampa Bay:

#0 DeMarvion Overshown (LB)
#2 Cobie Durant (CB)
#25 Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
#41 James Houston (OLB)
#65 Ajani Cornelius (G)
#67 Drew Shelton (T)
#80 Camden Brown (WR)

— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) October 8, 2026