Buccaneers vs Cowboys: Week One Inactives

The Buccaneers and Cowboys are about to get under way, but before that they have to announce which players are not going to dress for them tonight.

The player that won’t come as a surprise is safety Jordan Whitehead. We were told by head coach Bruce Arians earlier in the week that he still isn’t ready as he attempts to return from his hamstring injury. Mike Edwards will be starting in his place.

The Buccaneers also elevated two players from their practice squad for the game tonight; wide receiver Jaydon Mickens and safety Andrew Adams. Adams is elevated due to the depth being depleted with Whitehead’s absence. As for Mickens - it appears he will be on return duty with rookie wide receiver Jaelon Darden being a game day inactive.

Here is the full inactive list for the Buccaneers and the Cowboys;

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB - Kyle Trask

WR - Jaelon Darden

S - Jordan Whitehead

RB - Ke’Shawn Vaughn

G - Nick Leverett

S - Chris Cooper

DL - Khalil Davis

Dallas Cowboys

QB - Will Grier

S - Malik Hooker

S - Israel Mukuamu

DE - Azur Kamara

LB - Luke Gifford

DE - Chauncey Golston

WR - Noah Brown

Of course, the Cowboys are also without All-Pro guard Zack Martin who remains on the Reserve/COVID list which will certainly affect their ability to protect quarterback Dak Prescott and create running lanes for Ezekiel Elliott.

In the twenty games where Vita Vea, Devin White, and Lavonte David have all started, they have allowed just three rushers to go for over fifty yards. That’s something to keep an eye on as Zeke looks to get back on track after a tough 2020 season, but it’s an uphill climb without Martin anchoring the middle of that Dallas offensive line.

The Bucs and Cowboys kick off the NFL season at 8:20 ET inside Raymond James Stadium, broadcast on NBC with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth on the call.