Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) is seen before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Welcome to Week 5 of the NFL season.
The Dallas Cowboys are enduring a quick turnaround early in October as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium. Dallas will already have a key adjustment to make as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (illness) was ruled out about 90 minutes before kickoff.
This week, the Cowboys will face a Buccaneers squad led by rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. Can Dallas move above .500 in front of its home crowd?
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Follow along below for live updates, game coverage, photos and more from our crew at Cowboys-Buccaneers:
The Cowboys have an injury to watch in their secondary. Safety Alijah Clark was deemed questionable to return with a hamstring injury. Shortly after the Clark update was announced, Dallas forced Tampa Bay to go for a 61-yard field goal. The Bucs were ultimately pushed out of field goal range after they were called for delay of game. It’s still tied at 7-7 with 3:40 left in the second.
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Now Dallas’ defense responded well. After Bryan Anger pinned the Buccaneers at their own 3-yard line, the Cowboys contained Jalon Daniels and Tampa Bay’s offense. Dak Prescott and Dallas’ offense have another chance to get on the board with 11:00 left in the second.
Dallas’ second drive wasn’t as fruitful as the first. Dak Prescott tried to connect with George Pickens to pick up a new set of downs. Instead, the pass was deflected and nearly intercepted. Bryan Anger punts it away and we’ll get another chance to see the Cowboys’ defense.
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The Buccaneers have responded after their long drive. After Dallas’ defense was called for a neutral zone infraction, Jalon Daniels led his team to the end zone. Daniels found running back Bucky Irving for an easy 5-yard touchdown pass. The drive wasn’t exactly methodical, but it did eat away a ton of clock. It was a 15-play, 73-yard possession for the Bucs. We’re all tied up at 7-7 with 14:53 left in the second.
The first quarter has ended at AT&T Stadium. Tampa Bay is on what appears to be a never-ending drive. After the Cowboys scored an opening touchdown, Tampa Bay has held the ball for nearly 11 minutes. The Bucs are on a 14-play, 63-yard drive facing second-and-10 from Dallas’ 10. Can the Cowboys find a way to hold the Bucs off?
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The Cowboys are off to a smooth start at AT&T Stadium. Dak Prescott led the offense on a 9-play scoring drive. Javonte Williams finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run. George Pickens was huge on the drive, as he came down with two big-time receptions. Cowboys lead 7-0 with 10:51 left in the first.
Tampa Bay won the opening coin toss and deferred possession. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will take the field first for this Thursday night primetime battle.
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Here’s a look at the inactives for Cowboys-Buccaneers:
Cowboys: CB Joey Porter Jr., LB DeMarvion Overshown, CB Cobie Durant, OLB James Houston, OL Ajani Cornelius, OL Drew Shelton and WR Camden Brown.
Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield, CB Benjamin Morrison, S Antoine Winfield Jr., OL Luke Haggard, OL Billy Schrauth and DL DeMonte Capehart.
The Cowboys’ secondary has taken a surprise hit ahead of Thursday night’s kickoff. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is ruled out with an illness.
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Our crew of reporters is on the scene for Cowboys-Buccaneers.
Cowboys-Bucs https://t.co/Th4DVgQOK0
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 8, 2026
Tyler Smith is back, ready to make his season debut. https://t.co/BxVZ1LXPIm
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 8, 2026
One of the 100 DMN Cowboys writers, according to Twitter https://t.co/jKJouqN2PM
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) October 8, 2026
TV: Amazon’s Prime Video and KDFW-TV FOX 4 for those in the D-FW viewing area.
Streaming: Prime Video, NFL+
Radio: English:105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM); Spanish: 107.5 La Grande (KMVK-FM)
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