Baker Mayfield Out Again, Jalon Daniels Draws Second Start vs Cowboys
Mayfield's thumb keeps him sidelined for Thursday night, handing rookie Jalon Daniels another start as Tampa chases its first win.
Just 16 PPR pts through two 2026 starts — no streaming case yet.
- Mayfield ruled out with injured right thumb
- Daniels: 148 pass yds, 1 TD in two 2026 starts
- Winfield Jr. out 2-4 weeks with rib fracture
- Kickoff 8:15 PM ET from AT&T Stadium
- Tampa Bay still winless, chasing first W
Baker Mayfield is sitting out again. The Buccaneers quarterback has been ruled out for Thursday night's Week 5 trip to Dallas as he keeps nursing the injured right thumb on his throwing hand, meaning rookie Jalon Daniels makes his second straight start under center. Mayfield entered the layoff ranked #26 overall (#12 at the position) in our model, with 615 pass yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 picks across three 2026 games before the injury.
He's got company on the inactive list. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr., cornerback Benjamin Morrison and linebacker SirVocea Dennis are all out, with Winfield facing an expected two-to-four-week absence after a slight rib fracture against Green Bay. The teams kick off at 8:15 PM ET from AT&T Stadium, and Tampa Bay is still searching for its first win of the season.
What Daniels Brings
Daniels hasn't exactly torched the box score. Through two 2026 starts he's thrown for 148 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, adding 64 rushing yards for a grand total of 16 PPR points. He's unranked in our system for a reason — the volume and the ceiling just aren't there yet. His legs give him a sliver of upside, but nobody's confusing this for a startable fantasy quarterback.
There was some positive injury news for Tampa. Rookie edge Rueben Bain Jr. practiced fully all week with no game designation and should return. Kicker Chase McLaughlin was a full participant Wednesday after a groin/hip issue cost him Tuesday's walkthrough — worth noting if you're rostering him, though his 34 PPR points across four 2026 games and a form dip of -8.5 points versus his season average over the last five make him a shaky play anyway.
The Dallas Side
The Cowboys will be short-handed too. Cornerback Cobie Durant, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and tackle Drew Shelton are out, while guard Tyler Smith and receiver Johnathan Mingo are both questionable. The depleted Dallas secondary is the one wrinkle that gives Tampa's pass catchers a touch more appeal on a short week.
Fantasy bottom line: sit Daniels. Two starts, 16 combined PPR points and an unranked tag tell you everything — there are better streamers on waivers. Hold Mayfield if you've got the bench room, because the thumb isn't a long-term shutdown, but don't expect him this week. And with McLaughlin trending down and nursing a groin, treat him as a last-resort kicker only.
