Cowboys’ free agency options, injury updates at ailing safety position – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
The Dallas Cowboys have become extremly thin at the safety position.
The current state of affairs of the injured safeties in Dallas and their respective prognosis:
Thomas’ migraines are new to him, a fact he disclosed to me ahead of the trip to Denver, and he’s working desperately with the medical staff to try and figure out what treatment works to make them subside and ultimately disappear; and that includes trying a specialized type of goggles in practice, but none of it has resulted in him returning just yet. He’s now missed two games, and a third absence could very well be on the way when the Arizona Cardinals arrive.
Hooker qualifies to return to practice under his 21-day window, having now been sidelined for four games, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer was definitive in declaring the veteran safety will not be permitted to touch the field again just yet, meaning he’ll need more time to rehab.
As for Wilson, it’s been a battle over the past couple of weeks or more to remain available as he deals with injuries, elbow and shoulder, that finally shut him down in Week 8, and threatens to do the same this coming weekend, ahead of the bye.
The situation is so dire that Reddy Steward, a nickel cornerback, was moved to safety alongside Bell against the Broncos, and it goes without saying that can’t be a long-term solution but, again, there are no other healthy safeties on the active roster other than Bell.
Solution? There are a few, but since I am disallowed to name players under contract with other teams for possible trade scenarios (see? I can behave — sometimes), I’ll focus on free agency to avoid a tampering charge that potentially costs the Cowboys a draft pick, because it’s not as if I’m eyeing a Pennsylvania resident with a will of steel or anything.
So, that said, on to free agency options but, be warned, they’re not plentiful; and that tracks, considering top-shelf safeties aren’t usually still available in free agency approaching the midpoint of the season.
Honorable mentions:
I wouldn’t consider these as serious options, for reasons that vary from age (Gipson is 35 years old) to poor production, but they bear a mention here.
More snaps for Jadeveon Clowney among changes for Dallas Cowboys defense, per Brian Schottenheimer – Clarence Hill, AllDLLS.com
Brian Schottenheimer may look at the defensive end group as an area where they need to make changes.
Two weeks after searching for solutions and making some scheme changes, the Cowboys are doing it again after the Broncos amassed 426 yards.
It was the fourth time they gave up more than 400 yards. It was the second time this season the Cowboys have given up more than 40 points and the second time they have allowed four touchdown passes.
“No one is happy with the way we performed [against the Broncos],” said Schottenheimer. “It’s not acceptable. It’s not good enough. I would say both the staff and the players are aware that the standard was not met, so now what do you do? Be solution-oriented.
“The solutions are making adjustments to scheme, changes to personnel — giving this guy a little bit more playing time and all that. Those things will play themselves out.”
Look for more snaps for veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to be among the changes, Schottenheimer told DLLS Sports.
Clowney, 32, has yet to start a game and has been disappointed with a limited role since signing with the Cowboys three games into the season to help bolster the defense only to be used as a rotational piece among younger players with far less experience.
This is the first time in his career he has come off the bench.
Yet, Clowney has consistently graded high among the team’s defenders as the Cowboys have tried to round him in shape after being out of football since the end of last season with the Carolina Panthers. He did not attend minicamp or training camp and missed the entire preseason.
Clowney, in his 11th year and a former first-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2014, was among the team’s highest rated defensive players against the Broncos as well, per Pro Football Focus.
The dust has been knocked off and it’s time to ramp him him.
“Clowney is back,” Schottenheimer told DLLS while offering one of few smiles about what he saw on tape from defense against the Broncos.
The front office would be wise to get out in front of a contract extension with George Pickens.
The Cowboys stole George Pickens.
They sent a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick, and they are paying the wide receiver only $3.656 million this season.
Pickens, though, is in the final year of his contract and due a substantial pay raise on a long-term deal. The question isn’t whether the Cowboys can afford him, but whether they should pay that much for a second wide receiver with huge needs on the defensive side of the ball.
The franchise player designation for wide receivers is projected to be $28 million, and Pickens likely will get more than $30 million per season on the open market.
The Cowboys have not engaged in contract extension talks with Pickens or his representatives, Ed Werder of ESPN reports.
Would Dallas consider trading Pickens before Tuesday’s deadline if it can get more than it otherwise would get in compensatory picks?
The Cowboys are 3-4-1 and rank 31st in total defense and 31st in points allowed.
It’s never too early to preview this week’s opponent in the Arizona Cardinals.
Coaching inconsistency
Head coach Jonathan Gannon is now in his third season leading the Cardinals, but his tenure has been marked by turbulence rather than triumph.
His most controversial moment came in Week 5 against the Titans, when a sideline confrontation with running back Emari Demercado drew widespread criticism. After Demercado fumbled away a potential 72-yard touchdown, Gannon was seen yelling at the player and swiping his arm in a manner that appeared to make contact. The incident led to a $100,000 fine from the team.
Gannon’s coaching record stands at 14–27 (.341 win percentage). Before joining Arizona, he served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, helping guide them a Super Bowl LVII appearance. Despite his pedigree, the Cardinals have struggled under his leadership, most notably losing three games this season after leading by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, which had never happened in NFL history.
Arizona enters Week 9 on a five-game losing streak, and Gannon’s five-year contract, signed in 2023, is beginning to look increasingly tenuous. The pressure is mounting, and the spotlight is squarely on the Cardinals’ sideline.
Waiting for Murray
Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, has yet to fully deliver on the franchise-altering expectations that came with his selection. The Bedford native has just one playoff appearance to date, a lopsided 34–11 loss to the Rams in the Wild Card round four postseasons ago.
Murray is battling a mid-foot sprain that has sidelined him for the last two games (vs. Colts and Packers). Through five starts this season, he’s posted 962 passing yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions and 101 completions on 161 attempts for a 68% completion rate. Historically, Murray has performed well against Dallas, throwing for 451 yards and four touchdowns in two career games, both wins, versus the Cowboys.
If he’s unable to suit up for Week 9, the Cardinals will turn to veteran Jacoby Brissett, a well-traveled backup who’s played for the Patriots, Colts, Dolphins, Commanders and now Arizona. In two starts this season, Brissett has been solid with 599 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Whether it’s Murray or Brissett under center, the Cardinals will need sharp quarterback play to beat the Cowboys.
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