Mayfield out, rookie Daniels to start for Bucs at Cowboys

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without quarterback Baker Mayfield in Dallas. Coach Todd Bowles ruled him out Wednesday for the Week 5 game against the Cowboys on Thursday, Oct. 8, at AT&T Stadium, according to a report by Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com that Bucs Wire picked up on Yahoo Sports. Mayfield is still dealing with a dislocated right thumb and will miss a second straight game.

Three defensive starters are also out: cornerback Benjamin Morrison (quadriceps), linebacker SirVocea Dennis (ankle and foot) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (rib). The list comes from that report; the club's official injury report could not be checked.

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will start again. He made his first start Sunday in a 17-14 loss to Green Bay. According to Athlon Sports, he completed 19 of 27 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, both in the first half. He also ran for 55 yards, which the outlet describes as a franchise record for a rookie quarterback.

Bowles said Daniels "had some ups and some downs" but "didn't panic." Daniels, for his part, spoke about his injured teammate: "I don't know what else I can ask of Baker."

Mayfield hurt his thumb Sept. 27 against Minnesota. An MRI showed no additional damage, and Bowles estimated an absence of at least three weeks; sources told ESPN it could be three to six, depending on when he can grip the ball. Athlon Sports puts his earliest return in Week 7, Oct. 25 at Carolina.

Tampa Bay arrives 0-4 and has not scored more than 27 points in any game. The Cowboys, who are 2-2 according to SI, are playing their third game in 11 days, the first in Rio de Janeiro, per DallasCowboys.com. Athlon Sports adds that Daniels also leads the list to start Oct. 18 against Pittsburgh.