The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-4, and nothing has gone right for even 30 minutes of a 60-minute game. On Thursday night, they will take on the Dallas Cowboys, who, despite their 2-2 record, are head and shoulders above where the Buccaneers wish they were.
Now, the defense has something else to worry about. Hours before kickoff, the Cowboys announced that All-Pro guard Tyler Smith will be playing tonight. Smith just came off IR and practiced all week. The Buccaneers have struggled to get consistent pressure against opposing quarterbacks all season; now it's going to be significantly more difficult.
The #Cowboys are activating All-Pro G Tyler Smith from Injured Reserve to play tonight against the #Bucs. A big lift.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2026
One of the NFL's best, Smith had thumb surgery right before the season with hopes of returning as soon as possible. After a full practice Wednesday, he's back. pic.twitter.com/3XQLuAy8R2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Cowboys best offensive guard after all
The Buccaneers are not good at getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They carry the second-lowest rate in the NFL entering Week 5. Yaya Diaby has 7 pressures with no sacks, and Calijah Kancey has 8 with no sacks.
The Buccaneers will get a little help of their own on Thursday. First-round draft pick Rueben Bain Jr. will return, but fans should be cautiously optimistic. Bain has two pressures, no sacks, and only one tackle. Granted it was for two games.
If the Bucs are going to beat the Cowboys, they have to keep pressure on Dak Prescott. Under pressure, he struggles; when he has time to let his receivers create space, he can pick apart the defense.
If there is one good thing that will help, the Buccaneers rank 3rd in run defense yardage given up. They are allowing just 78.5 yards per game. The Cowboys have a good running back in Javonte Williams.
Tonight's game rides on the defensive front and the linebackers behind them. It will be critical to force Prescott into quick decisions, something he doesn't excel at consistently. If they can do that, and continue to keep the running game in check, they will have a good chance to defensively win the game.
Smith is a huge benefit for the Cowboys' line. An elite blocker in all phases of the game, Smith is hard to get past. He rarely gives up pressure and moves defensive linemen out of the run lanes. In 2025, he allowed just 3 sacks in more than 1,100 snaps.
Not that it will matter a lot, but the Buccaneers should test his conditioning. After tearing a ligament in his thumb during training camp, he had surgery. He could be a bit rusty.
If the Buccaneers can't generate pressure, the Cowboys will win, and if that happens, Todd Bowles has to be under the microscope.
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