Your Sunday morning Cowboys news.
Cowboys Reveal Bad Trevon Diggs Surgery News Amid 5 Roster Moves – Mike Fisher, Athlon Sports
Another one bites the dust. Former All-Pro cornerback will undergo surgery.
The Dallas Cowboys have had their season rocked by injuries, and in truth, it started back in training camp when Sam Williams suffered an ACL injury. Since then, it’s all been downhill.
Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Brandin Cooks, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, Juanyeh Thomas, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, Asim Richards, Caelen Carson, Markquese Bell, Tyler Guyton, and now DeMarvion Overshown have all missed time this season.
Yes, “this is football’’ and injuries are a part of it and all of that. But … Whoever has that voodoo doll has been working overtime. And now we know more about the Cowboys getting needled as on Saturday they made moves involving five guys.
Pro Bowl CB Trevon Diggs is not only out … he is also now set to have season-ending knee surgery, per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Diggs will now not be traveling with Cowboys to the Panthers game. Also, CB Andrew Booth and C Dakoda Shepley are called up. And LB DeMarvion Overshown moves to IR.
Cowboys Rumors: Execs Feel Jones May Keep ‘Lame Duck’ HC McCarthy with Strong Finish – Adam Peters, Bleacher Report
It’s not over yet for Mike McCarthy.
Despite a disappointing season, some executives think Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy could save his job with a strong finish to the year.
Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, executives around the league believe the Cowboys “might stick with their ‘lame duck’ coach if they see enough progress and the locker room support the coach has received continues.”
Russini also reported that stars like quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons have vocally supported McCarthy as head coach throughout the season.
The Cowboys’ playoff odds got even worse after they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday to drop to 5-8. To avoid elimination this week, they would need to win their matchup against the Carolina Panthers while also getting some help from the Washington Commanders, who would need to lose or tie against the New Orleans Saints, per the NFL Playoff Scenarios.
Even if it can avoid being eliminated from the playoff picture this week, Dallas would need a bit of a miracle to sneak into the postseason with just four games remaining.
In McCarthy’s defense, his squad has been depleted by injuries this year with Prescott suffering a season-ending hamstring injury and Parsons missing a few games due to an ankle sprain. In total, the Cowboys have had 13 players on the injured reserve list this year.
3 Cowboys who have earned large contracts in free agency – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside the Star
These players have done enough to command a pay raise.
DT Osa Odighizuwa
Osa Odighizuwa is another player who is in line for a payday after his rookie contract expires after this season. Osa has played well for the Cowboys, recording 27 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, and 53 QB hits in his career.
The former UCLA Bruin has not been a stalwart in rush defense. At 280 pounds, he is more adept and rushing the passer. Defensive tackles who can rush the passer are gold for defensive coordinators. For that reason, he might be re-signed by the Cowboys, but I wouldn’t put my money on it.
If Osa is allowed to walk in free agency along with Linval Joseph, the only defensive tackles left on the roster who have contributed would be Mazi Smith and…Mazi Smith. Another position group depleted.
OL Brock Hoffman
Brock Hoffman has the chance to add even more to his resume over the last four games of the season. Hoffman started at right guard in place of an injured Zack Martin, and he played great. He also has the flexibility to play center, as he showed us against Cincinnati after Cooper Beebe suffered a concussion.
Hoffman is likely in line for the start at center once again against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday, and his fire and competitiveness on the field are a big reason the Cowboys have been playing tougher and more competitive football recently.
As an undrafted free agent, Hoffman climbed the ranks with hard work and dedication, and now he is a quality starter on the offensive line. He is one that I believe the Cowboys will spend in free agency for him to stay.
Cowboy vs Panthers: 3 bold predictions for Sunday’s matchup-Matthew Holleran, Blogging the Boys
These hot takes that could happen in today’s game versus the Panthers.
1) Bryce Young continues his resurgence, tossing multiple touchdown passes for the second time this season
Coming into the season, we knew how big of a year 2024 was for Bryce Young. The former number-one overall pick struggled during his rookie year, completing just 59% of his passes and throwing for 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
It was imperative to both Young and the Panthers that the 23-year-old quarterback progressed during the offseason and got off to a good start this season. Unfortunately for both parties, the opposite occurred. Young struggled to the tune of just three touchdown passes and six interceptions in the first six games he played in this season. Things got so bad that he eventually was benched and replaced by veteran Andy Dalton.
Young eventually got his job back after Dalton suffered an unfortunate thumb injury in a car accident. While he didn’t light the world on fire right out of the gate, Young’s last five performances have been much better. The young quarterback has thrown five touchdown passes to just one interception in those games, three coming against capable opponents in the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Over those three weeks with games against potential playoff teams, Young is ninth in the NFL in EPA/Play (0.154) and thirteenth in EPA + CPOE. (0.109)
This week Young has a chance to build upon his solid performances against a Cowboys’ pass defense that gave up over 350 yards through the air last week. Young stays hot and hurts the Cowboys through the air early, tossing multiple touchdown passes in a game for just the second time this year.
3) Cowboys call and convert a fake punt, leading to a pivotal touchdown
The Cowboys have had plenty of things go wrong on special teams this season. Whether it was the failed fake punt against the Falcons and Texans or the muffed punt that led to last week’s loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, things have been anything but normal for Dallas’ special teams unit this year.
This week Cowboys’ special teams coordinator John Fassel has another trick up his sleeve on a short week. Dallas calls their third fake punt of the season, but this one finally goes their way. The Cowboys convert the fake punt, leading their offense to score a pivotal touchdown.
