Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland miss practice again for Cowboys :: ProFootballTalk
Both players sat out Thursday’s practice, casting some doubt on Jerry Jones’s earlier proclamation that they would be game-time decisions. Of Parsons in particular, Mike McCarthy said the edge rusher is currently “not over the threshold” in terms of being able to go versus San Francisco. Friday and Saturday’s work sessions will be critical for Parsons and Bland.
Updates: Kendricks’ chances of playing Sun. :: The Mothership
Kendricks was limited for the second straight day with a shoulder ailment, but he says he’ll do whatever it takes to play in Week 8 against the 49ers, the team he nearly signed with before changing his mind to come to Dallas.
Cowboys lose up-and-coming weapon to another ACL injury :: Cowboys Wire
John Stephens Jr. saw his promising rookie season cut short in 2023 by a preseason ACL tear. While the undrafted tight end hadn’t yet cracked the lineup as a Cowboy, coaches raved about his development. Now the youngster has suffered a serious setback, tearing the same ACL in practice on Wednesday. He’ll have surgery and miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
Cowboys CB hopes to turn tide vs depleted 49ers receiving corps: ‘Opportunity’s going to come’ :: Cowboys Wire
Caelen Carson is working his way back from a shoulder injury, and the rookie is eager to help the Dallas defense start racking up some turnovers, something they haven’t done all that well thus far. “It’s been an emphasis all year; it just hasn’t happened,” the fifth-round draft pick explained. This may be the week, as the 49ers’ receiving corps has been decimated by injury.
Bye week criticism brought Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb to common theme :: Dallas Morning News
Lamb declined to respond directly to Troy Aikman’s recent criticism of him, but the receiver did admit, “Got to get better overall.” Prescott acknowledged that Lamb’s camp holdout may have hindered their communication but added, “There’s more plays out there for me to make, whether it’s in the design or not.” The two found time during the off week to watch game tape together and work on some routes.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott describes his 2024 season as ‘average’ through six games, details what could improve :: CBS Sports
The offensive numbers are way down from last year, and Prescott is taking the responsibility. “I’d say I’ve played average, and average isn’t good enough right now by any means,” Prescott said Thursday. It’s thought the quarterback using his legs more would help add a spark, something that worked after the bye week last season. He says the offensive line- with its two rookies- is gaining confidence and improving their communication.
Science Lab: A literal drive to survive as concerning Cowboys’ offensive stat emerges :: The Mothership
The Cowboys have been dreadful in the red zone, hitting paydirt just 37.5% of the time. Maddeningly, they are one of the league leaders in drives of 10 or more plays, but Brandon Aubrey has kicked as many field goals at the end of those drives as the offense has scored touchdowns. As for chunk plays, Dallas is among the worst in the NFL. Capitalizing on extended drives and creating chunk plays have to become a part of the Cowboys’ repertoire.
Cowboys get big WR news at Thursday’s practice :: Sport DFW
Brandin Cooks won’t be eligible to return until Week 10 at the earliest after his knee procedure and subsequent infection, but he is progressing nicely. The 31-year-old returned to practice on Thursday and was seen working out on resistance cords in an encouraging sign.
Cover 1, Cover 3, Cover your eyes: Cowboys defensive flip hasn’t worked :: Cowboys WIre
Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson have practically swapped roles in Mike Zimmer’s defense this year. Neither is having a strong season to show for it; both are currently sitting on the lowest PFF grades of their careers. And because their switch is typically a pre-snap alignment, it’s not fooling opposing offenses.
If not now, when? Cowboys will look to reverse 49ers recent dominance :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys have lost the last three meetings with their West Coast rivals, twice in the playoffs and each final score worse than the last. While the 49ers are dealing with numerous injuries, the Cowboys are coming off a bye week. This may be Dallas’s best chance at getting the San Francisco monkey off their back.
ESPN, former Cowboys criticisms about club culture sets Micah Parsons off :: Cowboys Wire
ESPN’s story about fan tours causing havoc at team headquarters has lit a firestorm, but Parsons isn’t buying it. “Sometimes you gotta call bull [expletive] when you see it! This ain’t it,” he posted on X. Jourdan Lewis also seemed to downplay the seriousness of the distraction, writing, “we are some of the most mentally tough people in the world – supposedly,” and then saying of his teammates, “hopefully that’s not a problem.”
‘It’s an excuse’: Dak Prescott, other Cowboys react to ESPN report questioning impact of fan tours :: Lone Star Live
Prescott also took issue with the notion that fan tours are a huge issue for Cowboys players. “You gotta embrace it,” Prescott said. “You can walk by and you can have a negative mindset about it and allow that to ruin your day. Or you can be thankful that you’re an organization that people want to see. And, you know, for me, it’s just easy to say, ‘What’s up?’ Wave and keep walking.” Zack Martin also dismissed the presence of fans as a factor in on-the-field play.
Murder wasn’t the case that they gave him: Cowboys assassin heads to court :: Cowboys Wire
Kicker Brandon Aubrey is juggling his prep week with his civic duty this week, serving on a Tarrant County jury in a second-degree strangulation case. The case does not require the jury being sequestered, so Aubrey is apparently able to work out at night and should be free to travel and play this weekend.
Six trade proposals, including Myles Garrett, plus: Healthy star returns for Rams-Vikings :: The Athletic
Would the free-falling Browns part with defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson for a conditional fifth- or sixth-rounder? Despite being 30 years old, Tomlinson still ranks in the top 75th percentile at his position and would come as a fairly cheap rental, since there’s no guaranteed money on his deal past this season. He’d certainly help buoy the league’s worst run defense.
Woodson among Cowboys to advance in Hall of Fame voting; Romo, ‘Too Tall’ see Canton bids end :: Cowboys Wire
Darren Woodson moves on in his ninth bid for Canton; Erik Williams and Eddie George also remain eligible for the Class of 2025. In the Seniors category, Harvey Martin and Everson Walls advance to the next round of voting. Among those who will not proceed this year: Tony Romo, Travis Frederick, Lee Roy Jordan, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones.
America’s Sweethearts meet Formula 1: Behind-the-scenes at the US Grand Prix with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders :: Motorsport
Portions of the second season of the cheerleaders’ streaming series were filmed at the recent Formula 1 event in Austin. The squad performed their famous “Thundersturck” routine at the front of the grid, and Jada Mclean, a fifth-year DCC veteran, waved the checkered flag at the race, which was won by Charles Leclerc. Given the success of “Drive to Survive” as well as their own series’ well-received debut, the cheerleaders referred to themselves and the F1 drivers as “Netflix cousins.”
