Updates: Bland’s chances of returning vs. 49ers :: The Mothership
Bland may finally make his season debut Sunday in Santa Clara. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was noncommittal Monday, but with the cornerback’s 21-day practice window having opened on Oct. 9, he’s likely to return to the lineup sooner rather than later.
Cowboys’ Micah Parsons: Return from injury for 49ers showdown ‘still in the air’ :: Cowboys Wire
The edge rusher suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4 and has missed the past two games. He’s been in the building over the bye week and is progressing, said McCarthy, but the final decision for whether Parsons plays in Week 8 will come from the team trainers. “They want to make sure — obviously because there’s so many games left,” Parsons said, “that I come back at the best result. Sometimes, it’s not always the player’s decision. It’s the people with the higher pay grade.”
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk out for year with torn ACL, MCL; Deebo Samuel hospitalized :: The Athletic
As feared, Aiyuk tore an ACL in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City; he’ll miss the remainder of the season. Samuel’s status for Week 8 is uncertain after the receiver was hospitalized with fluid in his lungs. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he’s “not sure if we’ll get [Samuel] back this week or not.”
NFL news roundup: Latest league updates from Monday, Oct. 21 :: NFL.com
The 49ers will also be keeping a close eye on George Kittle as Dallas prepares to visit. The tight end is dealing with a foot sprain and is considered day-to-day. Kittle is the team’s current leader in both catches and touchdown receptions.
NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Chiefs fall from No. 1 after win? Lions make case :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys took a tumble even in a week in which they didn’t play. Last week’s 22nd-ranked team drops another spot to 23rd heading into Week 8. Their next three opponents- the 49ers, Falcons, and Eagles- come in 15th, 16th, and 14th, respectively.
If the Cowboys can only beat bad teams in 2024, where will they draft? :: Cowboys Wire
After being a perennial top-five outfit in previous seasons, Dallas ranks just 25th in offensive EPA this season and 27th in defensive EPA. They seem equipped to take care of business only against the weakest teams in the league, but they don’t play an opponent currently with a losing record until Thanksgiving. A 6-11 finish seems entirely possible; based on last year’s draft order, that would earn the Cowboys a top-six or -seven selection.
Ashton Jeanty talks the possibility of playing for his hometown Dallas Cowboys in the NFL :: Lone Star Live
The dynamic Boise State back played his high school ball in the Metroplex, and he admits he’s thought about a homecoming when he turns pro. “Dallas Cowboys, I’m not saying they’re not a good fit,” Jeanty said. “I’m not saying that at all. And I’m from Frisco, played in their practice stadium. I would be a hometown hero if I went there.” Jeanty also mentioned Chicago and Kansas City as preferred destinations.
Did the Cowboys make a big mistake letting this weapon walk in free agency? :: Cowboys Wire
Letting Tony Pollard leave saved the Cowboys between $5 million and $10 million in salary. With Tennessee this season, he’s averaging a career-best 67.8 yards per game and gaining 4.35 yards per carry. While he’d clearly be starting over the team’s current options, his release wasn’t necessarily a mistake. The real error was not adding a young and talented running back through the draft.
Where are Cowboys leaders that will save the 2024 season? Do they exist? :: Cowboys Wire
With a 3-3 record, tons of injuries thrusting younger players into bigger roles, and a lame-duck coaching staff, the Cowboys’ locker room is ripe for a few leaders to step up and take charge of things. Yet it doesn’t seem to be happening. Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliott, Micah Parsons, Eric Kendricks, Malik Hooker, Trevon Diggs… anyone??? Could the bye week inspire someone to assume the role?
McCarthy looking to continue post-bye success :: The Mothership
The coach is 12-5 in games immediately following a bye, 3-1 during his time in Dallas. In those four seasons combined, Dallas has finished things out after the bye with a combined 25-13 record. Clearly, McCarthy’s process pays off, though he says the team’s habit of practicing hard is very different from practicing well. This is the week to change that.
McCarthy: Cowboys coaches to focus on one basic thing to help solve team’s issues :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys have multiple issues coming out of the bye, but McCarthy believes something simple could be a big help in solving them all. “We need to spend more time in group settings,” the coach continued. “We’ve got to get away from as many individual meetings; we need more group. Our connection between positions needs to be higher.” McCarthy also took the opportunity to say he does not agree with Troy Aikman’s recent observation that the Cowboys receivers are running “lazy” routes. “There is definitely need for improvement in every position,” he specified.
Top candidates to replace Mike McCarthy as Cowboys HC: Week 8 edition :: Cowboys Wire
If things don’t improve dramatically, McCarthy will not earn a new contract. Get ready to hear lots more about coaches like USC’s Lincoln Riley, Klint Kubiak, Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn, Kliff Kingsbury, Ben Johnson, Bobby Slowik, and two guys you may have heard of- Deion Sanders and Bill Belichick.
Uncovering the many layers of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks off the field :: CBS News Texas
A ten-year NFL veteran, a former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, an active contributor to several nonprofits, a doting dad, and even the creator of his own line of hair products (that he’s also turned several teammates onto). Get to know Kendricks, who explains how he really wants to be recognized: “A competitor, but also just a good person. Someone who holds up a standard for the guy who’s next to me but also at the same time treats them how I want to be treated.”
Bye Week Fix: Is Cowboys’ secret weapon on offense wasting away on shelf? :: Cowboys Wire
With a little foresight, the Cowboys could have turned Trey Lance into their own version of the Saints’ versatile Taysom Hill. With Prescott locked in as the long-term starter and Lance almost certainly headed elsewhere in 2025, why not use his obvious talents in other ways to help diversify the offense this year? The Cowboys have a supreme athlete who could cause defensive coordinators to spend some time preparing for… but they aren’t using him.
