What happened: The Dallas Cowboys activated guard Tyler Smith from injured reserve designated for return ahead of Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. The club waived running back Emari Demercado and elevated cornerback Reddy Steward and safety Juanyeh Thomas from the practice squad.

Why it matters: Smith's return provides a significant reinforcement for the Dallas offensive front as he makes his season debut. Moving on from Demercado creates the necessary roster flexibility while elevating Steward and Thomas provides immediate depth in the secondary for the matchup.

What to watch: Watch Smith's snap count to see if he assumes a full workload immediately in his return. Dallas will also evaluate its secondary rotation with Steward and Thomas active for the game.