Undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels became the first undrafted rookie starting quarterback in the common draft era (since 1967) to win a game for a team that entered winless, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 24-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium. Stepping in for injured starter Baker Mayfield for the second straight week, Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, adding 23 rushing yards.
Running back Bucky Irving was a major contributor, rushing for a career-high 165 yards and scoring both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who had started the season slowly, also scored a rushing touchdown and led the team with six catches. The win snapped Tampa Bay's 0-4 start.
Daniels said the victory meant everything. "Six months ago, if you would've told me that my first win would've been on a Thursday night, Prime football game, I don't know what I would've told you," he said. He also fondly recalled his earlier success in Texas, when he led Kansas to a 57-56 overtime win over Texas in 2021 as a sophomore, a game in which the Jayhawks were 31-point underdogs.
Daniels has embraced his undrafted status, beating out veteran Jake Browning for the No. 2 depth chart spot this preseason. Mayfield, who dislocated his right thumb in Week 3, had stitches removed this week and has not yet resumed throwing. Coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield would be out a minimum of three weeks.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing