Brian Schottenheimer: Cowboys ‘good enough’ to beat Packers without CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Booker – Kevin Patra, NFL.com
Brian Schottenheimer has tons of confidence in the Cowboys despite an extensive list of injuries.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is peddling optimism ahead of Sunday night’s tussle with Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers.
Outside the building, few expect the 1-2 Cowboys, who were thumped by the Chicago Bears on Sunday, to keep things competitive with the Packers, particularly with star receiver CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Booker on the shelf. Schotty isn’t listening to that noise, noting they’ll never use injuries as “an excuse”
“We are good enough to beat the Packers without CeeDee, Book and the guys we could be missing,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “But the only way you do that is if you play well and execute. If you don’t, you put yourself in a tough spot.”
Of course, zero NFL coaches or players would say anything otherwise. At this level, you must enter every week with the conviction that victory is within reach. It’s too physical and taxing a job to perform otherwise. Nevertheless, it’s certainly an eye-catching quote.
Setting aside Booker’s absence and what that could mean against Parsons and the rest of the Packers’ defensive front, Lamb’s absence alone is a massive blow to the Cowboys’ chances.
Lamb, out several weeks with an ankle injury, has missed only three games in his career since being drafted in 2020. Dallas is 0-3 in those contests (one in 2021, two in 2024). The wideout’s importance to the Cowboys’ offensive operation can’t be understated. Lamb is tied for first in the NFL in receiving yards (3,165) since 2023 (tied with Ja’Marr Chase). His 3,348 scrimmage yards since 2023 are fifth in the NFL (first among WRs).
Cowboys injury updates: Dallas gets a mix of good, concerning news at cornerback – Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys have some questions at cornerback heading into their matchup with the Packers.
FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys had good news in their cornerback room on Wednesday and some concerning news.
On the positive front, Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland was a limited participant in practice, marking the first time he’s practiced since suffering a foot injury that’s kept him out the last two weeks. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Wednesday that Bland — a former Defensive Player of the Year finalist — was trending toward returning for Sunday’s matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Wednesday’s limited participation was a further example of that.
The Cowboys may need Bland and his versatility, too.
Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs surprisingly did not practice on Wednesday, according to the team’s practice report, with a designated knee injury. Diggs was wearing a helmet and seen on the practice field during the portion of practice open to the media.
Diggs briefly left Sunday’s 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears after hurting his shoulder while making a tackle in the second half. He eventually returned and told reporters that his shoulder would be fine. Knee injuries have been a concern for Diggs in the past, however. He tore his ACL two seasons ago. He then played in 11 games last season before he had season-ending knee surgery.
Kenny Clark explains his approach to facing Packers – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
Kenny Clark is looking forward to playing his old team.
FRISCO, Texas — For all of the rightful talk regarding the upcoming homecoming game for Micah Parsons against the Dallas Cowboys in primetime, there’s also a lesser-discussed storyline with just as much oomph — namely the fact the Green Bay Packers must try and stop Kenny Clark for the first time in his NFL career.
When the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle takes the field for Sunday Night Football, he’ll square off against a team he shared a locker room with for nearly a decade, but don’t count on him letting his emotions disturb his focus.
And especially with the Cowboys trying to avoid a 1-3 start to the season.
“When you’ve been somewhere for nine years, it’s hard to not have those emotions, but it’s another game,” Clark said. “It’s another game ,at the end of the day. I’m definitely going to be amped up. I’m gonna be ready to go, and prepare to do everything I gotta do in order to help my team win but, at the end of the day, yeah, we’re trying to get a win.”
How do the Dallas Cowboys plan on stopping Micah Parsons in his reunion game? – Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
All eyes will be on Micah Parsons in his return to Dallas.
When the Dallas Cowboys sent four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster trade Aug. 28, the Cowboys’ Week 4 matchup with the Packers exactly one month later on Sept. 28 went from being circled with a pencil to a Sharpie.
Now, as the week of preparation leading up to the game has begun, all eyes in the Cowboys’ headquarters are not only focused on how to stop their former defensive star, but the array of weapons around Parsons on both sides of the ball.
It’s a unique situation for Brian Schottenheimer. In his first year as the Cowboys’ head coach, it’s hard to imagine that he expected a reality without Parsons ever playing a snap for his team when he signed the dotted line back in January. But even with the spotlight bright this week around the Cowboys’ decision to move on from Parsons, Schottenheimer is focused on treating the opportunity just like any other one.
“I’m excited to see Micah before the game on the field,” Schottenheimer said. “The guys know Micah is coming back. It will great to see him, but no, [this is a] normal week, another championship opportunity.”
Schottenheimer has had to face talented pass rushers throughout his career. Even in the first three weeks of the regular season, he has seen talented defensive fronts that have made life difficult on his beat-up offensive line at times. It helps to have the knowledge and background that he has with Parsons, but he also knows it goes both ways.
“I think at the end of the day, our guys all know Micah,” he said. “But guess what, he knows us. Micah’s a great player. Micah’s going to make plays. I’ll just put that out there. Does he get a sack? I hope not, but he might. He’s pretty good, but I think our guys will go in knowing we got a good plan.”
Jadeveon Clowney believes he can bring ‘a lot’ to Cowboys defense – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
Dallas will certainly need Clowney going forward with their pass rush woes.
FRISCO, Texas – As the Cowboys prepared to play their Week 3 game against the Bears, they added some depth at defensive end by signing former number one overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.
After a couple of practices with the team, signs pointed to Clowney not playing and he was made inactive. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said they’ll see how this week goes with him, but said things are trending towards Clowney making his debut this coming Sunday.
“I was hoping I went last Sunday,” Clowney said. “But, looking forward to this Sunday again, and I just keep working throughout the week. Like I said, I prepare like I’m going, like every man in here should be, we don’t know who is going to be up. You just prepare like a pro and get ready to go. And yeah, I think I’m going to go.”
He especially wants to go this week after being so eager last Sunday, where the Cowboys defense allowed 31 points and 385 yards of offense to the Chicago Bears in a loss. Having to sit on the sidelines and watch wasn’t easy, because Clowney believes he can make an impact on this defense.
“Very tough, especially because I thought I was going to play a little bit,” Clowney said. “Yeah, it was tough, but like I said, just get ready for my opportunity when it comes. Hopefully I get one this week.”
Just how much does Clowney think he can bring to the defense?
“A lot, man,” Clowney said. “Just bringing my energy, my effort out there, and I think that’s going to be enough for me. Just let my play do the talking.”
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