Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb late addition to injury list; Mike McCarthy optimistic WR will play Monday vs. Texans – Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports
As a surprise addition late in the week, CeeDee Lamb has been added to the injury report and is questionable to play versus Houston.
The Dallas Cowboys already had a lengthy injury report without CeeDee Lamb on it. That injury report just got longer.
Lamb was a surprise additional on the final injury report for the Cowboys this week, as the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was officially listed as questionable for Monday night’s game against the Houston Texans. Lamb landed on the injury report with a back injury, as he did not appear on the injury report at any point throughout the week. The injury occurred during Saturday’s final practice during 7-on-7 drills, as Lamb was listed as a limited participant.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, per ESPN, seemed to think Lamb would be good to go Monday night saying, “I’m not of high concern.”
Lamb was on the injury report earlier this year with a shoulder injury, but he hasn’t missed any games. This injury designation will likely last until the Cowboys release their inactive report on Monday night. Lamb has 59 catches for 681 yards and four touchdowns this season, leading Dallas in all three categories.
If Lamb is out, Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin would be the top wideouts with Brandin Cooks still on injured reserve.
Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs: ‘I Knew for a Fact’ Cowboys Wanted to Take Me in 2023 NFL Draft – Zach Bachar, Bleacher Report
The Cowboys running back position has been a talking point all season. In a sit-down with Richard Sherman, Detroit speedster reveals that Cowboys were raring to race to the podium to draft him.
Detroit Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs revealed that the Dallas Cowboys were among the teams interested in selecting him during the 2023 NFL draft.
“It was crazy I knew for a fact Dallas was going to get me at 26 if I was still there, and a couple other places like Cincinnati was going to get me,” Gibbs said during a Thursday appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast (h/t CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell).
The 22-year-old ultimately wasn’t available when the Cowboys were on the clock, as the Lions used the No. 12 overall pick to draft the Alabama standout.
Dallas ended up selecting former Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith with the No. 26 choice. Smith hasn’t exceeded expectations to begin his career, especially compared to Gibbs. The 23-year-old has registered 21 tackles and two tackles for loss in nine appearances this season but he hasn’t been able to record a pressure in 285 snaps (via Pro Football Reference).
The Cowboys eventually addressed the running back position in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, adding Deuce Vaughn. He’s served as a depth option to begin his career, picking up 20 yards on seven total carries in 2024.
After losing Tony Pollard in free agency, Dallas has attempted to replace him by opting for a committee approach built around Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott. It hasn’t worked, as the Cowboys own the NFL’s second-worst rushing attack in addition to their 3-6 record.
With 2024 a lost season, what lies ahead? – Richard Paolinelli, Inside the Star
With the Cowboys season going up in flames, where do they go from here?
Jerry Jones is not going to sell this team. There’s no point trying to hammer that point. We all know the only way that ownership is changing hands in Dallas. But, until that day arrives, Stephen Jones needs to hold an intervention on his father.
The Cowboys clearly need a competent General Manager who knows football – modern-day, 21stCentury football. A GM that knows how to navigate the cap and build a roster capable of showing up deep into the playoffs. Someone who knows when to trade draft picks away and when to hold on to them for dear life.
Said person would also know when it’s time to make the big swing in free agency and in trades, and when it’s time to cut the dead-weight loose. As we’ve witnessed for over a quarter of a century, the Jones family cannot get the job done. Dallas needs to hire a GM with full authority, free of any meddling by the Jones clan before this year’s NFC Conference title game. Who would I get? How about Troy Aikman?
The Coaching Staff
We’ve heard Bill Belichick’s name bandied about. Some want Mike McCarthy tossed out the building today with Belichick brought in before the year ends. How about… no. Same for Deion Sanders. The Cowboys do not need another aging coach stuck in the past. Nor do they need a coach from the college ranks whose shtick won’t work on professional football players.
There are no scholarships to revoke in the NFL. There are also no Arizona Wildcats, Utah Utes, or Oklahoma State’s in the NFL to feast on either. Who would I pursue to replace Mike McCarthy? There are two leading candidates. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson should be the first call, after the new GM is installed.
If he says no, return the favor and poach from the Washington Commanders’ staff like they did to Dallas this past offseason. Have you noticed what Commanders’ Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has done this year? And with a rookie quarterback at that? Either Johnson or Klingsbury just might be able to turn Dak Prescott into a reliable postseason quarterback.
Mike Zimmer’s second run as the defensive coordinator is a bust. Maybe it’s time to give Mike Vrabel a call to see if he’d like to get back to being a defensive coordinator? I’d mention Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn. But he’d be a fool to leave Detroit for anything less than a head coaching gig.
Position battleground (rookies): Cowboys vs. Texans breakdown for draft picks/UDFAs-Mike Poland, Blogging the Boys
Here’s the Texans and Cowboys draft classes stack up against one another.
Houston Texans
Blake Fisher
Second Round
Fisher is playing swing-tackle for Houston and has come in for 114 snaps this season. On 71 pass sets, Fisher has allowed ten pressures and one sack. The Notre Dame tackle was probably over-drafted here in the second round and Houston is finding that out. He was benched a number of times for the Fighting Irish, his biggest problem is oversetting or playing off his heels.
Grade: 46.5
Kamari Lassiter
Second Round
The young Georgia Bulldog cornerback has played pretty well this season so far. He’s played as one of the teams starting corners and has allowed a reception rate of just 44% and a passer rating allowed of 55.2. To add to that impressive start he also has three interceptions with two coming last week against the Detroit Lions.
Grade: 69.8
Calen Bullock
Third Round
Bullock has been the team’s starting free safety from Week 4 and has played in every game this year. He leads the team in interceptions with four and his ability to cover ground quickly and transition quickly with fluid hips has been on display.
Grade: 51.5
Cade Stover
Fourth Round
Stover plays the TE2 role behind Dalton Schultz, so naturally he plays mostly as an extra blocker. He has made eight receptions this year for 87 yards, but his main duties are either blocking or contributing on special teams.
Grade: 50.7
