Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that McLaughlin (groin/hip) will play Thursday against the Cowboys, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Analysis:McLaughlin popped up on the injury report Tuesday as a non-participant due to right groin and hip injuries, but his absence from practice that day appears to have been precautionary more than anything else. The veteran kicker is a perfect 9-for-9 on field-goal tries and 7-for-7 on point-after attempts through the Buccaneers' first four games. Backed by a Tampa Bay offense struggling to score touchdowns, McLaughlin could continue to see ample field-goal chances if the team's drives keep stalling out in the red zone.
