Porter joined the Cowboys in a trade with Pittsburgh and immediately made an impact in his first appearance against the Houston Texans. Despite having limited time to learn Dallas’ defensive system, he delivered an encouraging performance in coverage, helping strengthen a secondary that needed reinforcements. His debut had created optimism that he would continue building chemistry with his new teammates against Tampa Bay.

However, Porter’s absence means Dallas will have to adjust its defensive plans for Thursday Night Football. The Cowboys were counting on the former Steelers cornerback to become an important part of their secondary, particularly as they look to contain Tampa Bay’s passing attack. With no additional details provided about the reported illness, the immediate focus is on his recovery and potential return.

Is Joey Porter Jr. injured with Dallas Cowboys?

Based on the information currently available, Joey Porter’s absence does not appear to be related to a new football injury. The reported reason is an illness, although no specific diagnosis or further details have been disclosed. That distinction matters because his availability had previously been a concern due to back problems that kept him out of Pittsburgh’s first three games of the 2026 season.

Porter finally returned to the field after the trade and played against Houston, giving the Cowboys an encouraging first look at what he could contribute to their defense. His performance suggested that the back issues that disrupted the beginning of his season were no longer preventing him from playing. There is currently no confirmed indication that those previous problems are responsible for his latest absence.

The Cowboys will now have to wait for Porter to recover before determining when he can return to the lineup. An illness can have a different recovery timeline from a structural injury, but without further information from the team, it is impossible to establish exactly how long he will be sidelined. Dallas will hope the issue is short-lived so the cornerback can resume building on the promising start to his Cowboys career.

Key takeaways

• Joey Porter Jr. was ruled out of Week 5 against Tampa Bay due to an illness.
• Joey Porter Jr. previously made his Cowboys debut in coverage against the Houston Texans.
• Back problems had previously sidelined Joey Porter Jr. for Pittsburgh’s first three games.

Mayfield suffered the injury during the Buccaneers’ Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It happened late in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-1 play, when he was hit by linebacker Blake Cashman while attempting a pass that was intercepted. Mayfield exited the game, and subsequent medical examinations confirmed the dislocation in his throwing hand.

The initial outlook offered some encouraging news, as an MRI revealed no fracture or damage to the thumb’s ligaments or tendons. Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield would miss at least three weeks, and the quarterback has avoided injured reserve so far with the Buccaneers. However, his recovery timeline remains uncertain because his ability to grip and throw the football comfortably will ultimately determine when he can return.

When is Baker Mayfield coming back from injury?

Baker Mayfield could miss at least three more weeks, with a potential absence of up to six weeks depending on how quickly he regains a reliable grip on the football.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the quarterback’s return will depend on his ability to hold and control the ball, a crucial requirement for making accurate throws with consistent velocity. Although the lack of ligament or tendon damage is positive, the dislocation still presents a significant challenge for a quarterback who relies on his throwing hand on every offensive snap.

The Buccaneers have ruled Mayfield out against the Cowboys after he also missed the Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Tampa Bay initially expected him to miss a minimum of three weeks, but the broader three-to-six-week window means his absence could extend beyond that estimate. If he cannot grip the football adequately, the team may have to wait closer to the longer end of the timeline rather than risk bringing him back before he is ready.

Who is Buccaneers starting quarterback vs Cowboys?

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will be the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback against the Dallas Cowboys, taking over the offense while Baker Mayfield continues his rehabilitation.

Daniels made his first start against Green Bay, throwing for 148 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while adding 55 rushing yards. His second consecutive start will provide another opportunity to gain experience, but replacing a quarterback who had started 57 straight games for Tampa Bay is a considerable challenge.

Mayfield’s recovery will remain one of the Buccaneers’ biggest storylines over the coming weeks. A return after roughly three weeks remains possible if he can grip the ball comfortably and demonstrate that he can throw effectively, while a recovery closer to six weeks would keep him out for a more extended stretch. The team will need to balance the urgency of getting its starting quarterback back with the importance of ensuring his throwing hand is ready for the demands of an NFL game.

Key takeaways

• Baker Mayfield was ruled out against Dallas after dislocating his right thumb in Week 3.
• Baker Mayfield faces a three-to-six-week recovery window depending on his ability to grip the ball.
• Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make his second career start in Mayfield’s place.

For instance, the Dallas Cowboys have arguably a top 10 quarterback in Dak Prescott. Therefore, the Cowboys offense is one of the most high-octane units in the NFL.

The same can’t be said for the Buccaneers, whose starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, is injured and hence, they are recurring to their depth chart to find a new signal-caller to take the load in the meantime.

Cowboys QB depth chart vs Buccaneers

The Dallas Cowboys are a top-tier offense and most of that is thanks to the prowess of Dak Prescott. He is accurate, can read defenses, and has plenty of chemistry with his wide receivers. This is their depth chart:

• Dak Prescott
• Sam Howell
• Joe Milton III (emergency backup)

Bucs QB depth chart vs Cowboys

Since Baker Mayfield is dealing with a hand injury, undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels will have his second start for the Bucs. Daniels hopes he can improve on the 19/27, 148 yds, 1 TD, and 2 INTs statline he posted in his debut. This is their depth chart:

• Jalon Daniels
• Easton Stick
• Brett Rypien (emergency backup)

Key takeaways

• Dak Prescott leads a top-10 high-octane offense for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Jalon Daniels makes his second start for Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield sidelined. RotoBaller
• Undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels threw one touchdown and two interceptions in his debut.

Parsons suffered the injury during the Packers’ Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos in December 2025 and underwent surgery later that month. Although he was initially expected to have a chance to return relatively soon after the minimum four-game PUP period, Green Bay has remained cautious with its defensive star throughout the rehabilitation process.

That approach has now pushed his potential return further into the season. Parsons has not suffered a setback, but he has yet to be cleared to begin practicing, meaning he cannot play against Tampa Bay and may also miss several more games before finally making his 2026 debut.

When is Micah Parsons coming back after injury?

NFL insider Tom Pelissero provided a new update on Micah Parsons’ recovery that significantly changes the expectations surrounding his return. This week’s report makes clear that the Packers are not dealing with a new injury, but rather a rehabilitation process that is taking longer than initially hoped.

“Packers star Micah Parsons hasn’t had any setbacks in his rehab. But he’s not expected to practice next week, and it could be November before he’s ready for game action.”

The update means Parsons is unlikely to return for the Packers’ Week 5 matchup against the Chicago Bears, since he is not expected to practice next week. His potential return against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 on October 18 is also becoming increasingly unlikely, particularly because he would need practice time before being cleared for game action.

If Pelissero’s projection holds, Parsons could potentially return in November, giving the Packers a much longer wait for one of the most important pieces of their defense. Green Bay has no reason to rush the star pass rusher back from a major knee injury, especially with the organization focused on having him healthy for the most important part of the season.

Key takeaways

• Micah Parsons won’t play for Packers vs Buccaneers.
• The defensive star suffered a serious knee injury during the 2025 season in a game against the Denver Broncos.
• Parsons is expected to return in November.

The Packers running back was placed on the exempt list after being charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident. Jacobs later entered a no-contest plea to the misdemeanor charges, but that did not automatically end the NFL’s separate disciplinary process. The league continues to review the case under its Personal Conduct Policy.

While Jacobs remains on the exempt list, he cannot practice or play in games, although he continues to receive his salary. The NFL has not announced a suspension at this point, meaning there is still uncertainty over exactly when he will be allowed to return to the Packers. Green Bay has prepared for his absence by relying on its other running backs while the process continues.

When is Josh Jacobs coming back?

There is currently no definitive return date for Josh Jacobs because the NFL has not announced its final disciplinary decision. A suspension remains possible, and the league’s review could ultimately determine that Jacobs must miss additional games after the time he has already spent on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.

One important detail is that the games Jacobs misses while on the exempt list can count toward a potential suspension. That means the time he has already spent away from the Packers would not necessarily be added on top of the eventual punishment.

If the NFL determines that he should receive a suspension, the games he has already missed could effectively count as time served, although Jacobs would have to repay the salary he received during the period that counts toward the suspension.

The NFL has not announced how many games, if any, Jacobs will be suspended for. A six-game suspension has historically been the standard punishment for violations involving domestic violence under the league’s personal conduct policy, but the actual discipline can vary depending on the circumstances and the league’s investigation. For now, Jacobs remains unavailable against Tampa Bay, and his return will depend on when the NFL completes its review and makes a decision.

Key takeaways

• Josh Jacobs remains on the Exempt List while the NFL reviews his legal case.
• He was charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage following a May incident.
• Standard discipline under the policy historically carries a six-game suspension.

Head coach Todd Bowles will have to rely on Jalon Daniels, the undrafted rookie who entered the NFL out of the Kansas Jayhawks. It will be quite a challenge for the Bucs, who will be looking to earn their first win of the season.

The poor level of play shown by Tampa Bay in its first three games has raised concerns within the coaching staff. Mayfield’s absence could deepen the crisis, especially with the Bucs facing a perennial contender like the Packers.

A tough blow for Mayfield

Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb on his throwing hand during the fourth quarter of Tampa Bay‘s Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The injury occurred on a fourth-and-1 play when he was hit while attempting a pass.

Subsequent medical evaluations and an MRI confirmed no major structural ligament damage, but Todd Bowles announced that Mayfield is expected to miss a minimum of three weeks while recovering. Based on that recovery timeline, the earliest realistic target for his return to the field would be Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers.

More injuries for the Bucs

Alongside Mayfield, the Buccaneers are heading into their matchup against Green Bay severely shorthanded on both sides of the ball. On defense, losing Rueben Bain Jr. (groin/shoulder) strips Todd Bowles’ front seven of a key edge disruptor, while Benjamin Morrison (quad) sitting out thins out secondary depth and leaves Tampa Bay vulnerable against Green Bay’s intermediate passing attack.

Offensively, Ko Kieft (elbow) being ruled out might not steal headlines, but his absence stings in the trenches—he’s the team’s primary blocking tight end and H-back, meaning the offense takes a hit in short-yardage packages and heavy run sets just as Jalon Daniels makes his first NFL start.

Key takeaways

• Baker Mayfield will miss the Week 4 game against Green Bay due to a thumb injury.
• Jalon Daniels is set to start at quarterback for the Buccaneers after Mayfield’s injury.
• Minimum of three weeks is the expected recovery timeline for Mayfield’s dislocated right thumb.

A native of Lawndale, California, the 23-year-old entered the league as an undrafted free agent after spending several years with the Kansas Jayhawks. He played his high school football at Lawndale High School.

The right-handed quarterback had a standout college football career and has already made his professional debut. He entered the game in Week 3 following Mayfield’s injury, recording three passing attempts and one interception.

How tall is Jalon Daniels?

Born on October 29, 2002, Jalon Daniels has the ideal build for a quarterback. He stands 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and weighs 219 lb (99 kg). His strong arm is one of his standout traits, ultimately convincing Todd Bowles to bring him onto the team.

Awards and highlights

Jalon Daniels completely transformed the Kansas football culture during his time in Lawrence, finishing as one of the most productive QBs in Jayhawks history. He racked up a massive 10,737 total yards and 90 total touchdowns across 49 games, placing second all-time in school passing yards (9,282) and first in QB rushing yards (1,445).

His breakout moment came in 2022 when he earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors and put on an absolute show in the Liberty Bowl, throwing for a school and bowl-record 544 passing yards against Arkansas.

Despite battling through injury setbacks along the way, Daniels capped off his college legacy as a Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year favorite and the ultimate leader who helped turn Kansas into a legitimate, bowl-winning program.

Daniels’ best qualities

Daniels is the kind of playmaker who instantly changes the energy on the field, starting with his ridiculous dual-threat athleticism that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. What really sets him apart, though, is his elite field vision and poise under pressure—he rarely panics when the pocket breaks down, using his arm strength to make absurd off-platform throws or simply picking up chunk yards with his feet.

On top of the physical traits, he’s got that infectious, high-octane leadership that elevates everyone around him, making him a absolute thrill to watch every time he takes a snap.

Daniels’ contract with the Bucs

Daniels landed in Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2026, putting pen to paper on a low-risk UDFA deal that came with a $247,000 base salary guarantee and a $25,000 signing bonus. While undrafted rookies usually face an uphill battle to even make the cut, he quickly turned heads during training camp and the preseason.

Key takeaways

• October 29, 2002 is the birth date of Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels.
• 6 ft 1 in and 219 pounds represent the physical stature of Jalon Daniels.
• 10,737 total yards and 90 touchdowns were accumulated during his college career.

Tampa Bay‘s primary backup is Jalon Daniels, who arrived this season as an undrafted free agent. On the practice squad, the quarterback listed is Easton Stick.

This is undoubtedly the worst-case scenario for the Bucs, who are desperate to turn things around as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this tough start leaves them at the bottom of the NFC South and, without their top star, the road ahead looks even more challenging.

What happened to Mayfield?

Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb on his throwing hand late in the fourth quarter of the Buccaneers’ Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The injury happened late in the game when he went down in clear pain, holding his right hand before heading off to the locker room with the medical staff.

While initial X-rays didn’t reveal any fractures, he was scheduled for an MRI to assess potential ligament damage and determine how long he’ll be sidelined. Unfortunately for Todd Bowles, he won’t be able to count on him until at least Week 7.

Daniel’s time

In his final season with the Kansas Jayhawks, Jalon Daniels posted strong numbers, throwing for 2,531 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions on 198-of-319 passing (62.1% completion rate), while adding 4 rushing touchdowns on the ground.

Pressed into action for his NFL regular-season debut, the Bucs rookie QB struggled to find his rhythm. He went 0-for-3 with a game-ending interception on a Hail Mary attempt, while adding 9 yards on one scramble as Tampa Bay fell 23–16 to the Vikings.

Key takeaways

• Baker Mayfield will miss three weeks due to a dislocated right thumb.
• Undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels serves as Tampa Bay’s primary backup quarterback.
• The Buccaneers fell to a 0-3 record after losing 23–16 to the Vikings.

“Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb, per coach Todd Bowles,” as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “MRI tomorrow. But likely to miss time.”

With Mayfield unable to finish the game against Minnesota for Tampa Bay, it was undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels who filled in under center for the Buccaneers. Because the Bucs have a two-man active quarterback room, that’s as far as their depth chart currently goes at the most important position in football.

• Baker Mayfield
• Jalon Daniels

A very avoidable injury

Of course, there’s no way of knowing when an injury will occur in the NFL. Still, Tampa Bay ran too many unnecessary risks on a single play, and it all came back to bite the Bucs in the worst way. Down four points with almost two minutes left in the fourth quarter and all three timeouts, the Bucs had no need to go for it on fourth down on the play that ended with Mayfield injured on the field.

Once the ball was snapped, Mayfield did his best, typical Maverick-style play-extending, keep-the-play-alive efforts, but it was all in vain. As much as he tried to make something out of nothing, it all backfired tremendously.

Mayfield was hit as he threw by Blake Cashman, with the quarterback’s right thumb clashing against the six-foot-one, 235-pound linebacker. As soon as the thumb hit Cashman, Mayfield knew something was wrong. He felt it, and his thumb was no longer pointing in the right direction.

Tampa Bay needs QB help

Now, Mayfield could miss time when his team needs him the most. If he is indeed sidelined, the Buccaneers will be knee-deep in trouble. As things stand, they don’t have another quarterback option other than UDFA rookie Daniels out of Kansas and practice-squad quarterback Easton Stick. If Mayfield is in for a long recovery timeline, expect the Buccaneers to go after a signal-caller available in free agency.

Key takeaways

• Baker Mayfield dislocated his right thumb and will undergo an MRI on Monday.
• Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels came on in relief as the active backup quarterback.
• Tampa Bay fell to 0-3 to start the 2026 season following Mayfield’s injury.

“Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has announced QB Kyler Murray has cleared the concussion protocol and will start Sunday at Tampa Bay,” as confirmed by the Vikings on the team’s official X account.

Despite playing clean football and avoiding any turnovers in consecutive wins to start the 2026 NFL season, Wentz is coming out of the starting lineup to make way for Murray.

Though both will become UFAs after the season, it makes sense that Minnesota is still trusting its 29-year-old signal-caller, who may have an unexplored ceiling, over Wentz (33), who may provide a more stable floor but a lower ceiling. Nevertheless, the shakeup at QB prior to the Buccaneers‘ game sends waves across the league.

Vikings make QB change after low-scoring Week 2 win

Indeed, Wentz and the offense barely produced anything in the 9-3 win over the Bears in Week 2 and were mainly wheeled to victory by Brian Flores’ defense and kicker Will Reichard, along with Caleb Williams’ injury, whose latest update is even better than Chicago imagined.

Still, Wentz led a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 and looked better than Murray did, even though the latter left the season opener less than 10 minutes into the game. Thus, the Vikings’ decision to send Murray right under center came as a surprise to many.

It’s not completely out of the blue, but some expected Minnesota to be cautious as Murray returns from concussion protocol, especially as the Vikings will face a lackluster Buccaneers team, which Wentz and company may be able to take care of, giving Murray more time to recover. Even if he’s cleared the protocol, every extra day of rest could make a big difference.

Wentz and Murray’s stats in 2026

Through his two games played for the Vikings in 2026, Wentz completed 23 of 39 pass attempts (59%) for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Wentz has been sacked six times while putting up a 106.4 passer rating.

As for Murray, his sample size is extremely small, but that doesn’t make it any less concerning. Murray has completed three of his five pass attempts (60%) for 18 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. His passer rating so far is 27.5.

The fact that Murray’s first pass in a Vikings uniform was picked off and he sustained a serious head injury on his third drive are all concerning factors that won’t magically disappear because the former first overall selection cleared the league’s concussion protocol.

Potential trap game for Murray

Although having Murray’s back against a disappointing defense in Tampa Bay might be viewed optimistically, it also means he will go head-to-head with 11 defenders holding on to pent-up frustration, and that’s one dangerous cocktail.

Key takeaways

• Kyler Murray cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Carson Wentz threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns across two games in relief.
• Minnesota achieved a 2-0 start for only the third time in ten seasons.

Watson has delivered a much better performance against Tampa Bay than he did during Cleveland’s disastrous Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran quarterback has looked more comfortable in his second start since returning from his long absence, giving head coach Todd Monken another reason to continue with Watson at the position.

The Browns’ game was interrupted late in the fourth quarter when lightning forced a suspension at Raymond James Stadium. Cleveland was leading Tampa Bay 23-19 with 2:33 remaining, leaving the Browns just minutes away from potentially securing their first victory of the season.

Could Deshaun Watson’s performance change Shedeur Sanders’ future?

Watson’s performance is particularly important because Cleveland entered Week 2 with questions surrounding the quarterback position. After a 34-10 loss to Jacksonville, the Browns indicated that they would reevaluate the situation following the Buccaneers game, creating an opportunity for Sanders if Watson failed to show significant improvement.

Instead, Watson has given the Browns a much more encouraging performance. He entered the weather delay having completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, including a 55-yard touchdown connection with Denzel Boston and a late 17-yard touchdown pass to Ben Whiteheart.

A Browns victory would add another important piece to the quarterback debate. Sanders won plenty of attention during training camp and the preseason, but Watson won the starting job entering the regular season. If Watson can finish strong and lead Cleveland to a road victory, Monken could have a much stronger argument for keeping the veteran in place.

That does not mean Sanders’ opportunity is gone. The Browns are expected to continue evaluating their quarterback situation after Week 2, and another strong Watson performance could either stabilize the position or simply delay a decision. With Cleveland scheduled to return home against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, Sanders could still have a chance to make his case if Monken decides a change is necessary.