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Mike McCarthy says sitting CeeDee Lamb is right decision for the Cowboys – David Moore, Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys certainly made the right decision here.
The Cowboys have made the decision to shut CeeDee Lamb down for the final two games of the season.
Mike McCarthy visited with his star receiver on Friday.
“He’s crushed that he’s not playing these last two games,” the Cowboys head coach said. “It shows you the kind of competitor he is.
“We all know what he means to our team and especially what he means to our offense. But this is the right decision for him, and it’s the right decision for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Lamb finishes the season with 101 catches for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns to become the first receiver in franchise history to crack the 1,000-yard barrier in four of his first five seasons. He injured the AC joint in his shoulder in the loss to Atlanta on Nov. 3 and has played with the injury since.
Sunday’s game will end a streak of 55 consecutive starts for Lamb.
“I can’t say enough about his resiliency and toughness,” McCarthy said. “Just really, look at the Tampa Bay game. It was on full display.
“He’s such a dynamic playmaker. He gives you the opportunity to be creative and get him the football. He’s any quarterback’s best friend.”
Cowboys injury report: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts ruled out for game – LP Cruz, Blogging The Boys
Dallas will be down a few players in Philadelphia.
#Cowboys final injury report vs. Eagles.
Depth issue at CB in Week 17: pic.twitter.com/8IPweLBm62
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 27, 2024
The Cowboys have ruled multiple players out. The team announced that CeeDee Lamb is out for the last two games with a shoulder injury. Amani Oruwariye (foot) was downgraded today to a DNP and ruled out of Sunday’s game. Donovan Wilson (knee) was downgraded yesterday but shook off a DNP Thursday for a limited tag today and is listed as questionable. Chuma Edoga (toe) was upgraded to limited and is also listed questionable. Also listed as questionable are receivers Jalen Brooks (knee) and Jalen Tolbert (finger). Eric Kendricks (calf) returned to practice yesterday after missing last week’s game. He was limited today and has been listed as questionable to play. Guard T.J. Bass is doubtful (thigh).
Stargazing: Cowboys to watch against the Eagles – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
If the Cowboys want to upset the Eagles, these players will play a key factor.
Micah Parsons, LB
He had some … colorful … words to describe his level of hate for the Eagles and their fans, speaking on the rivalry a few days ago, and the blowback from Philly is only going to fuel Parsons that much more as he heads back home to Eastern Pennsylvania this weekend. It is no secret he also wants to play spoiler to their hopes of securing the No. 1 seed, all while aiming for his fourth consecutive double-digit sack season, being just one half-sack away from getting it.
Parsons will then become only the fifth player in NFL history to have achieved that feat, joining the likes of Reggie White and Dwight Freeney in that conversation, and having notched his 50th career sack to add to that rarefied air, the All-Pro said he’s only halfway to his goal of 100 sacks and wants more more more. Enter an Eagles team he absolutely loathes.
Jake Ferguson, TE
Jason Witten, ever heard of him? Well, only Ferguson has proven worthy as a successor in the years that have followed the retirement of The Great One. It’s been a down season for the Pro Bowler, agreed, but not due to lack of skill or effort — instead due to a quarterback change due to injury and his own round of injuries that have required him to battle in ways he hasn’t had to prior to 2024 (i.e., MCL and concussion).
Still, if Ferguson can take the Eagles’ defense to the woodshed on Sunday, or even to the back porch, and gain at least 36 receiving yards, he’ll join Witten as the only other tight end in Cowboys’ history with 50-plus receptions and 500-plus receiving yards in their first three NFL seasons, and that is kind of a big deal.
Mike McCarthy wants Dallas Cowboys to ‘cut it loose’ Sunday vs Eagles – Tyler Reed, Sports Illustrated
Dallas has nothing to play for. So, they might as well go all out.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know the Dallas Cowboys have just two more games this season.
Yes, the team has been eliminated from postseason play. However, that doesn’t mean the team should lay down for the rest of the 2024 campaign.
For head coach Mike McCarthy, giving up is not an option. On Friday, when speaking with the media about the Cowboys’ upcoming game with the Philadelphia Eagles, McCarthy shared how he has motivated his team for the NFC East showdown.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy’s message to the team: “Cut it loose. We’re going in there to win. This is what you live for. This is what you work for. It’s a division game. It’s a hostile environment. I just want these guys to play with a ton of confidence and don’t look back.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 27, 2024
In Mike Zimmer’s first year back in Dallas, Cowboys DC has done more with less – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
Zimmer has made the best with what he was given in 2024.
FRISCO — It’s a daily conversation between Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and the medical staff. Who’s available to play?
The results impact so much of the on-the-field product, and that’s where defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer takes over.
Zimmer has had to juggle a defense that’s lost four defensive ends, two linebackers, and four cornerbacks at various teams during the season.
And despite the missing players for a defense that changed its scheme in the offseason, Zimmer has worked his magic with maybe the best coaching job of his long career.
He will downplay it, of course, but it’s hard to ignore what the Cowboys’ defense has done.
Entering Sunday’s game against the Eagles, the Cowboys are not the most dominating defense overall. They’re 27th in total defense (359.6 yards per game) and rushing yards (135.9 per game).
Yet, after struggling to create turnovers and sacks early in the season, things have changed dramatically. Since Week 10, the Cowboys lead the NFL in takeaways (15) and sacks (28). Overall, Dallas’ 21 takeaways are the 12th-most in the NFL. The 46 total sacks are the fourth-most.
