Cowboys
Chase McLaughlin did not practice on Tuesday, October 6, with a right groin and hip injury, and the Buccaneers have no other kicker on the roster or the practice squad. The Buccaneers' first injury report of Week 5 lists him as a non-participant, two days before the game at the Dallas Cowboys (Buccaneers.com, NBC Sports Fantasy, October 6).
Key facts
- Kicker Chase McLaughlin did not participate in Tuesday's practice with a right groin and hip injury (Buccaneers.com, October 6).
- McLaughlin was not on Monday's injury report, so the injury is new this week (Sports Illustrated, October 6).
- Tampa Bay has no kicker on its practice squad and no open roster spot to add one right now (Sports Illustrated, October 6).
- McLaughlin has scored 34 of the Buccaneers' 76 points this season and has not missed a field goal or an extra point (Sports Illustrated, October 6).
- The Buccaneers, 0-4, play at the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, October 8, at 8:15 PM ET, 02:15 CEST on Friday, on Prime Video (Buccaneers.com).
What the report shows
McLaughlin was not on Monday's injury report, so the injury is new this week (Sports Illustrated). Tuesday's session was a walk-through, and the Wednesday and Thursday reports will show whether he practices. Until then his status for Thursday is open.
Player | Pos | Injury | Tue |
|---|---|---|---|
Chase McLaughlin | K | Right groin/hip | DNP |
S | Rib | DNP | |
QB | Right thumb | DNP | |
CB | Quad | DNP | |
LB | Ankle/foot | DNP |
Source: Buccaneers.com, October 6. For more on the safety, see Antoine Winfield Jr.'s injury update.
No backup kicker
Sports Illustrated reports that Tampa Bay has no kicker on the practice squad and no extra roster spot to add one at the moment. On a short week, that leaves little room if McLaughlin cannot go: a replacement would have to be signed and ready for a Thursday night game.
The most reliable scorer
McLaughlin leads the offense in the one category that has been steady. He has scored 34 of the team's 76 points this season and has not missed a field goal or an extra point (Sports Illustrated). In the 17-14 loss to Green Bay he made both of his extra points, and the Week 4 recap shows he had no field goal attempt.
Kickoff
The Buccaneers, 0-4, play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Thursday, October 8, at 8:15 PM ET, 02:15 CEST on Friday, October 9. The game is on Prime Video (Buccaneers.com). The schedule has the rest of the season.
For a team that has lost its last three games by seven points or fewer (Cleveland 23-19, Minnesota 23-16 and Green Bay 17-14), a kicker who has not missed this season matters. With no second kicker available, one leg injury on a short week affects every drive that stalls near field goal range.
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