PLAYER NOTES
–WR DeSean Jackson, who missed the last three games with a left thumb injury, was limited in practice Wednesday.
–T Demar Dotson (knee) did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play against the Cowboys.
–DE Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play against the Cowboys.
–DT Gerald McCoy (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday at Dallas.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: DT Vita Vea is playing like a first-round pick. Vea missed seven weeks after suffering a calf injury in training camp. But the more he has played, the more comfortable he has become and his conditioning has improved. Last Sunday at Baltimore, Vea set a career high with nine tackles against the Ravens.
GAME PLAN: The Bucs know they’re going to get a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott from the Cowboys in this game. Tampa Bay allowed the Ravens to run all over them last Sunday for 242 yards in a 20-12 loss. The Cowboys use the play-action game to get downfield passes from Dak Prescott to Amari Cooper. The Bucs have to rally to the football because Elliott is a physical runner. If they can do that, the Bucs have to put pressure on Prescott with their defensive line.
Offensively, the Bucs need to strive for balance. RB Peyton Barber is playing well early in games and the Bucs need to stick with the run. This will enable them to have more time of possession and keep the heat off Jameis Winston. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson could return in the game to give the Bucs another downfield weapon and create space in the passing game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott vs. Bucs LB Lavonte David. Elliott is the engine that runs the Cowboys offense and had a big game in the last meeting between these teams two years ago. David is coming off a monster game at Baltimore with two sacks and a fumble recovery.
–Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence vs. Bucs RT Demar Dotson. Lawrence is among the NFL’s top pass rushers and was just named to the Pro Bowl. Dotson has struggled against more athletic defensive ends and is playing through some injuries.
