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NFL live updates, October 8: morning notes and tonight’s game

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Dated NFL notes for Thursday, October 8, with a clearly timed morning timeline and a link to tonight’s matchup.

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WhyNFL Sports DeskPublished Updated
An archival wide view of the football field and red seating at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on September 25, 2022 (archive photo). Photo: 350z33 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Display crop.

Follow NFL news for Thursday, October 8, 2026. Coverage runs from 00:00 EDT on October 8 (inclusive) to 00:00 EDT on October 9 (exclusive), in America/New_York (UTC−4).

Entries are newest first. Times below show when information was checked; event and original-report dates are stated separately. You may need to reload this page to see newly added editorial updates.

The header photograph is an archival view of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, included as Buccaneers context.

Latest updates

7:10 p.m. EDT — Dallas inactives

October 8: Joey Porter Jr.; DeMarvion Overshown; Cobie Durant; Drew Shelton; Camden Brown; Ajani Cornelius; James Houston. Porter was ruled out with illness.

7:06 p.m. EDT — Tampa Bay inactives

October 8: DeMonte Capehart; SirVocea Dennis; Luke Haggard; Baker Mayfield; Benjamin Morrison; Billy Schrauth; Antoine Winfield Jr.

5:08 p.m. EDT — Buccaneers elevate Roberts and Stick

Tampa Bay temporarily elevated safety J.J. Roberts and quarterback Easton Stick from its practice squad Thursday for the Dallas game. Both revert to the practice squad after the game.

3:44 p.m. EDT — Report: larger role for Payton

On October 8, Ian Rapoport reported with Mike Garafolo that Sean Payton will be more involved in Denver’s offensive play-calling this week. Davis Webb will retain a major role.

3:20 p.m. EDT — Cowboys activate Tyler Smith

Dallas announced Tyler Smith’s activation from injured reserve on October 8. The club waived running back Emari Demercado in the corresponding move.

1:52 p.m. EDT — Pittman absence reported

Jeff Hathhorn reported on October 8 that Michael Pittman is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury. No injured-reserve move was announced in that report.

12:43 p.m. EDT — Burrow’s October 7 reflection

Joe Burrow attributed some of his October 4 postgame comments to emotion. In Geoff Hobson’s October 7 report, he backed a more balanced offense and continued under-center work.

10:51 a.m. EDT — Smith activation reported; game status remains questionable

Ian Rapoport reported that Dallas is activating Tyler Smith from injured reserve ahead of tonight’s game. Smith remains listed as questionable.

10:51 a.m. EDT — Texans add Oliver to active roster

Houston announced on October 8 that wide receiver Bryce Oliver has signed to its active roster.

9:46 a.m. EDT — Tonight’s matchup

Tampa Bay visits Dallas at 8:15 p.m. EDT at AT&T Stadium. Follow the matchup in our Game Center.

9:38 a.m. EDT — Heyward’s October 7 response

Cam Heyward defended his sideline intensity after Pittsburgh’s October 1 loss in Cleveland, saying teammates should challenge one another. Ray Fittipaldo reported the comments on October 7 after that day’s practice.

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