The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received an encouraging update on Rueben Bain Jr. as they began a short week of preparation for Thursday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Rueben Bain Jr. was listed as a full participant on Tampa Bay's first Week 5 injury report Monday, according to Buccaneers Communications. The Buccaneers conducted a walkthrough rather than a full practice, so all participation levels on Monday's report were estimates.
The rookie outside linebacker did not participate in practice throughout Week 4 and was ruled out for the game against the Green Bay Packers with groin and shoulder injuries. He has now missed Tampa Bay's last two games.
Getting Bain back would provide help for a Buccaneers pass rush that failed to record a sack
in Sunday's 17-14 loss to Green Bay. Tampa Bay managed just two quarterback hits against Jordan Love despite the Packers entering the game with multiple injuries along their offensive line. In all due fairness to the Buccaneers' defensive line, Love was getting rid of the ball quickly, but still, the pass rush has been struggling as a unit so far this season
Bain wasn't the only notable name on Monday's report. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was listed as a non-participant due to a right thumb injury that kept him out against Green Bay. Head coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday's loss that Jalon Daniels will remain Tampa Bay's starting quarterback Thursday against Dallas as Mayfield continues his recovery.
Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was also estimated as a non-participant with a rib injury and will be out for 2-4 weeks. Linebacker SirVocea Dennis (ankle/foot) and cornerback Benjamin Morrison (quad) were added to the list of estimated non-participants alongside Mayfield and Winfield.
Tight end Ko Kieft was estimated as limited with an elbow injury, while linebacker Josiah Trotter was limited with a knee injury.
Dallas also conducted a walkthrough Monday, making its participation levels estimates. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (thigh) was listed as a full participant, while cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring), linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) and offensive tackle Drew Shelton (hamstring) were listed as non-participants. Guard Tyler Smith, who has been designated to return and is in his 21-day practice window, was limited with a thumb injury.
Bain's estimated full participation is his biggest step toward a return after missing two consecutive games, but he has not yet been cleared to play on Thursday. Tampa Bay's Tuesday and Wednesday injury reports should provide a clearer indication of whether the rookie will be available for the game against the Cowboys.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers Week 5 injury report brings good news for Rueben Bain Jr.
