Scott Galvin-Imagn Images The Cowboys draft class is coming along. Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how some of each team’s rookie class stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive of defensive grade handed out by PFF.com) Dallas Cowboys Tyler Guyton First Round Guyton was perfectly fine last week. His first real test in the NFL was up against one of the best pass rushing defensive lines in the NFL that has one of the best pass rushers in the league, and he allowed only two pressures and one sack. This week he’s facing a less challenging threat, but he still needs to bring his A-game. Although the New Orleans Saints isn’t a team that rack up lots of sacks, there a couple of guys to concern Guyton. Let’s see what level of improvement we get after breaking through the barrier of playing his inaugural game in the pro’s.Grade: 42.0 Marshawn Kneeland Second Round Kneeland was exceptional last week and created a stack full of pressures and tackles at the line of scrimmage. There was some apprehension about the defensive line for Week 1, but watching plays like Kneeland made has created a lot of optimism. Keep an eye on his designation this week in practice as he’s dealing with a calf issue. Grade: 68.0 Cooper Beebe Third Round Beebe played a perfect game last week. No wayward snaps and allowed zero pressures, zero sacks and committed zero penalties. Beebe will try to keep a clean sheet going against the Saints defensive line that had zero sacks as a unit last week.Grade: 67.8 Marist Liufau Third Round Liufau didn’t see much of the field last week, but based on how well the rest of the linebacker corps was playing it’s understandable why he was left out. He played a total of nine defensive snaps last week and made one tackle. Having a talented guy like Liufau learning and waiting for his moment isn’t a bad thing, especially when you take into account the volatility of the linebacker position.Grade: 62.0 Caelen Carson Fifth Round Carson got his hand on the ball a bunch of times last week making two pass breakups and almost bringing in an interception. His play helped other players Like Trevon Diggs and Jourdan Lewis have exceptional days. He helped keep Amari Cooper to less than 20 yards last week and will face the likes of Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed. Both will test the rookie cornerback again this week and provide Cowboys fans with more clarity on how consistent Carson can be in coverage.Grade: 61.5 Ryan Flournoy Sixth RoundInactive last weekGrade: N/A Brevyn Spann-Ford UDFA Spann-Ford was on the field for 19 offensive snaps last week, primarily as a blocker. The run blocking side of things looked promising. He also featured on special teams which seemed the obvious reason he made the final roster. This week he could look to get more work if Jake Ferguson misses time. With Luke Schoonmaker taking the starting role and John Stephens still suffering with his hamstring issue, Ford could take the TE2 spot and will make for an interesting game to check what the rookie tight end can do.Grade: 54.5 Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images New Orleans Saints Taliese Fuaga First Round There’s no denying Fuaga is a talented and physical offensive tackle. He was one of the premium tackles in this year’s draft in a class that was deemed very talented and deep. He had a solid game last week playing on 28 passing sets and allowed zero pressures or sacks. But this week will represent a much larger threat for Fuaga to deal with as he faces a defense that created an unbelievable total 41 pressures last week, and has the presence of Micah Parsons. This is huge reality check for Fuaga who had things a little easier last week.Grade: 72.7 Kool-Aid McKinstry Second RoundMcKinstry is another talented player the Saints grabbed in the draft and was deemed a fringe first-round cornerback. Marshon Lattimore could miss this game with a hamstring injury meaning McKinstry could get thrust into a starting cornerback role. Having to defend the likes of either CeeDee Lamb or Brandin Cooks is a daunting challenge for a rookie defensive back, so no doubt the Saints coaches will pull a safety to offer help on the outside. If you see this happen early in the game then get ready for the likes of Schoonmaker or Spann-Ford to find more space in the middle and have a big day.Grade: 63.1 Spencer Rattler Fifth RoundDesignated QB3 on the pregame inactive list.Grade: N/A Bub Means Fifth Round The Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver played six snaps last week and was targeted once. A.T. Perry was injured last week so that pushed the receiver depth upward, but Perry looks to play this week unless there’s a sudden setback. Keep an eye on that practice report.Grade: 24.7 Jaylan Ford Fifth RoundInactive last week. On this week’s practice report with a hamstring injury. Grade: N/A Khristian Boyd Sixth Round He played 18 snaps last week, switching between the 3-tech and nose tackle position. He made one pressure and recorded no tackles. Veteran defensive tackle Khalen Saunders is injured and it’s unclear whether he’ll suit up Sunday, Boyd’s snap may go up. He will have a tough time facing either Zack Martin or Tyler Smith.Grade: 52.8 Rico Payton UDFA The Pittsburg State cornerback played heavily on special teams last week but did hop in on seven defensive snaps. The team may look to hold him back on the defensive snaps this week since the Cowboys receiver threat is a lot more volatile than what the Carolina Panthers represented last week.Grade: 59.9 Mason Tipton UDFA Surprisingly the Yale wide receiver got to see quite a bit of the
Cowboys fans still not sold on the franchise or Dak Prescott’s record contract
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images This is going to shock you… but Dallas Cowboys fans are still not totally happy with the team. If you thought Dallas Cowboys fans were won over by a strong Week 1 in the 2024, think again. The Cowboys got off to a fast start to the season when they went on the road and blew out a Cleveland Browns team that made the playoffs last year. That was pretty impressive. But an offseason that began with a blowout loss in the playoffs, then carried on with some contentious contract negotiation, also buffeted by free agency inaction, has left the fanbase with a sour taste. Last week we asked your confidence level in the direction of the franchise and it was a very low 41%. After the Week 1 game, we asked you again. And that number only moved up to 51%. There is still work to be done by the franchise to win over the fans. Not only that, it seems Dak Prescott has more work to do. Just before the Browns game, the franchise and Prescott came to terms on a record-setting deal for four years and $240 million, with $231 million guaranteed. There are definitely skeptics of the contract. Only 46% of fans thought that was a good idea. That number won’t likely change much until Prescott leads the team deep into the playoffs and maybe one day, to another Lombardi for Dallas. This week, the Cowboys host the Saints and are 6.5-point favorites over the New Orleans franchise. Check out our partner FanDuel for all your betting needs.
Week 2 vs Saints gives Cowboys rookies another opportunity to shine
Week 2 vs Saints gives Cowboys rookies another opportunity to shine K.D. Drummond Dallas put a lot of pressure on their rookie class this year by asking six different players to make significant contributions right from the start of the season. They excelled against the Cleveland Browns, what will they have in store for the New Orleans Saints? In Week 1, Tyler Guyton had to start and play opposite the reigning defensive player of the year, Myles Garrett. Cooper Beebe started his first game as an NFL center and had to deal with the mammoth Dalvin Tomlinson. Caelen Carson had the tough task of covering former Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper, Marshawn Kneeland, and Brevyn Spann-Ford played plenty of snaps in rotation. The rookies passed all the first tests with excellent grades. Beebe led all rookie offensive linemen in pass-blocking snaps without a pressure allowed, Carson held Cooper to only two receptions for 16 yards with two pass breakups, and Kneeland had six pressures, the third most on the team. Expectations will rise now, and the players might need to elevate their play depending on their matchup and expectations. Guyton survived against Garrett and is now asked to handle veteran Cameron Jordan, one of the better defensive ends in the league. Carson has to try to lock up tough matchups in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Kneeland faces off with fellow rookie Taliese Fuaga, who didn’t allow a single pressure in his first game. For rookies, it’s important to flash their upside, but imperative to establish consistency from week to week. Can this group loaded with potential have similar performances in Week 2? You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Position battleground (defense): Cowboys vs Saints head-to-head breakdown
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images What are you expecting from the Cowboys defense this week? Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys against the New Orleans Saints. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other. DEFENSIVE LINE Prior to Week 1, there were significant concerns regarding the Cowboys’ defensive line, and these apprehensions were justified. Given the numerous new components, absent players, and uncertainties surrounding certain individuals, it was understandable for fans to experience anxiety leading up to the game against Cleveland. However, from the moment they stepped onto the field, the Cowboys’ defensive line exhibited dominance and showcased exceptional skill. The Browns’ offensive line struggled to withstand the relentless onslaught, and regardless of who was on the attack, the Cowboys’ defensive line effortlessly bypassed any attempts to block them. Mazi Smith participated in 23 snaps on the interior, yielding mixed results. Osa Odighizuwa performed admirably, generating pressure that resulted in a sack for a teammate and making three significant stops at the line of scrimmage. Notably, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence emerged as the standout players, applying considerable pressure. Collectively, they recorded a remarkable total of 18 pressures, three sacks, and six defensive stops, demonstrating extraordinary productivity. This week, the Cowboys defensive line will contend with an offensive line that ranked 19th in total sacks allowed last season. But they permitted the seventh fewest pressures overall. The Saints are facing a potential issue with Lucas Patrick, who may be sidelined due to a toe injury. Should he be unable to play, anticipate significant inside rushes from Parsons and Odighizuwa. It is crucial for this defensive line unit to remain vigilant regarding the Saints’ run blocking, as the team accumulated a total of 180 rushing yards in the previous week. The Saints’ defensive line is expected to pose a lesser challenge this week compared to what the Cowboys faced last week. Against the Carolina Panthers, the Saints entire line was unable to secure a single sack against a Panthers offensive line that is considered subpar. The primary concern this week is Carl Granderson, who has shown consistent improvement over his five years in New Orleans. He led the team in sacks last season. He plays a significant role as a right defensive end, which will put Tyler Guyton to the test once again. However, Guyton performed admirably against Myles Garrett last week. The only player on the defensive line whose starting status is uncertain is Khalen Saunders, so it is advisable to monitor his status in the practice report.Win: Cowboys Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images LINEBACKER The Cowboys appear to have a formidable linebacker corps, a development that may have surprised some fans. The potential within this unit has always been evident, yet fans were eager to witness the execution of their practice efforts in a competitive setting. Last weekend, they certainly delivered on that front. The defensive line performed well last week, and that provided support to the linebackers who collectively demonstrated their readiness to meet the challenge. Eric Kendricks stood out with a remarkable performance, recording nine tackles, two sacks, one interception, and one tackle for loss—an elite level of production. Additionally, DeMarvion Overshown made a significant impact, swiftly executing a crucial tackle in the backfield. He led the team with a total of 11 tackles and also made one sack. This marks an impressive beginning for a promising group of linebackers. Demario Davis is the key figure among the linebackers for the Saints. In the previous season, he ranked second on the team with six sacks and led the team with 121 tackles. Last week, he recorded a sack for the Saints but was limited to just two tackles. Another notable player is Pete Werner, who had an impressive season last year, accumulating 93 total tackles and four tackles for loss. He contributed with one tackle last week. Conclusion:The Cowboys linebacker corps answered a few lingering questions last week. Yes, it’s only one game but if that’s the ceiling then Cowboys fans should feel excited. They have to slow the Saints running backs in both the ground and passing game. But it’s also interesting to see how the Dallas running backs will feast this weekend. Win: Cowboys Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images DEFENSIVE BACKS Caelen Carson began his NFL career on a positive note, nearly achieving an interception on several occasions. He competed against both Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper, permitting a completion rate of 55% for a total of 88 yards. Additionally, he recorded two pass breakups and four tackles, marking a commendable beginning for Carson. Meanwhile, Trevon Diggs put a stamp on his return, securing his first interception of the season and demonstrating impressive agility on the field. Despite returning from an ACL injury sustained last season, he performed exceptionally well. Jourdan Lewis limited to he Browns to just 18 yards when they targeted him, and together with Diggs, they combined for a total of 10 tackles. The defensive backs for the Saints are pretty good, spearheaded by Marshon Lattimore. He is currently questionable for this week due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, they boast a talented rookie, Kool-Aid McKinstry, who participated in 28 snaps during the previous game. Should Lattimore be sidelined, it is anticipated that McKinstry will take on a starting role. The prospect of a rookie cornerback making his second NFL appearance is daunting, particularly when matched against either CeeDee Lamb or Brandin Cooks. It is likely that Dallas will seek to capitalize on this potential mismatch this week. The other cornerback on the team is Paulson Adebo, who recorded four interceptions last season and permitted a passer rating of 69.2. And don’t forget slot corner Alontae Taylor, who unbelievably had three sacks on blitzes last week versus the Panthers. The safety position is anchored by Tyrann Mathieu, who, at 32 years old, may not possess
Cowboys vs Saints: Bad Week 1 opponents make gauging each team difficult
Cowboys vs Saints: Bad Week 1 opponents make gauging each team difficult Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys handled their business as a road underdog to the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, as the offense held up against one of the best defenses in the NFL last season. The new defense under the leadership of Mike Zimmer was dominant, and the special teams unit might have been the best part of the team. Now Dallas returns to Texas for their home opener against the New Orleans Saints, who are 1-0 after blowing out the Carolina Panthers. It will take multiple games before the Cowboys can establish any certainty in answering questions about the team. Still, each outing open up storylines for the team based on assumptions, unknowns, and theories. Can players continue performing well week to week, or improve after playing poorly? How will the team respond to injuries? Dallas and New Orleans both blew out their Week 1 opponents, but was that more about themselves or the quality of the team they faced? The Cowboys were road underdogs who played against a team with the best defense in the league when they played at home last year. Dallas had to compete with rookies playing at two offensive line spots, a rookie corner, and one corner returning from a significant injury. Their starting nickel linebacker was playing in his first game and returning from a season-ending injury. On paper, the Browns were a legitimate opponent. The Panthers didn’t have much to offer in terms of competition. Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr, only threw four incompletions on 23 pass attempts. Alvin Kamara averaged 5.5 yards per rush, and a slot corner, Alontae Taylor, somehow led the team with three sacks. Carolina just couldn’t put up any resistance, so Dallas will be an actual test of how good the Saints might be this season. New Orleans could be a top-tier team, but Dallas won games against excellent competition last season. In 2023, the Cowboys had home victories over the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas must continue playing at the highest level at home under Mike McCarthy. If they play as they did in the playoffs, they risk losing the aura they established in AT&T Stadium. That feeling of being hard to deal with at home could give them the confidence needed when they face the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas walked into their playoff matchup with the Green Bay Packers on a 16-game home winning streak, the longest since 1979 through 1981. Their last loss had been in Week 1 of the 2022 season against Tom Brady, who will call the game on Sunday. Will Dallas continue their regular-season dominance, or will a losing streak at home begin? You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys mailbag: Questions on the effect of Dak Prescott’s deal and Jake Ferguson’s injury
Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Our latest mailbag features plenty of questions about the Dallas Cowboys. Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get9 right into it. “After Dak signed his monster deal, how much does that effect deals for other players going forward?” (@Riley Braggington on Facebook) Mike: The front office has already freed up some space with the restructuring of Terence Steele’s contract. There are rumblings they are looking to do the same with Trevon Diggs contract but wait on that one. As it stands, the Cowboys have a little under $30 million in cap space next year with 40 players under contract which puts them in a reasonably good position. When you also take into account the cap space will look to go up next season this should help balance things out ready to make a deal with Micah Parsons long term. Dana: In the short term, it should free up cap space to be able to pay more players, however, the list of upcoming contracts is a long one. Guys like Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, Tyler Smith, Jake Ferguson, DeMarcus Lawrence and others are going to need contract extensions soon as well. While the Cowboys might not be able to pay every one of these players top money for their positions, they should have enough to prioritize the guys they really want to keep. It also helps that the salary cap will continue to increase. “Now it’s confirmed Jake Ferguson has an injury. Will Dallas be in the market for a vet TE, or are we sticking with our guys?” (@Riley on Facebook) Mike: It’s unlikely the Cowboys go out to grab another tight end. For one, Ferguson isn’t out for the season which is great news and is deemed week-to-week, so he could be back within a couple of weeks. The other is who realistically can the Cowboys grab? There are guys like Jimmy Graham available, but he made six receptions last year. That’s the level of tight end on the open market right now. If Ferguson is a no-go this week then expect to see Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford take the leading roles at tight end. This may scare fans but there’s two major factors to look at. One factor is Marshon Lattimore may miss this game which puts rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at one of the starting cornerbacks spots. With the prospect of a rookie corner facing either CeeDee Lamb or Brandin Cooks you can be sure the Saints coaches will pull a safety to help him out. That leaves room in the middle of the field for Schoonmaker and Spann-Ford to get open and make plays. The other factor is last year the Saints defense allowed the second-most touchdowns to the tight end position, making this a positive matchup for the Cowboys tight end tandem. Dana: It looks like Jake Ferguson dodged a season-ending injury with a knee bruise/MCL sprain. According to the team, he still has a chance to play on Sunday against the Saints. If he does end up missing some time however, look for the team to use the guys that are already in house. Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford, and John Stephens Jr. will be the guys they rely on, but also look for Hunter Luepke to fill in as well. He got some work in with the tight end group at training camp and can help with blocking receiving. “So are the Cowboys distractions finally gone or might we see more in the next few weeks?” (@MrEd315 on Twitter) Mike: Distractions never go away and for a team as media-grabbing as Dallas. You can be sure there’s plenty to distract the players and coaches. The best teams in the NFL aren’t the ones that shy away from distractions, but are the ones that deal with them quickly and don’t allow them to effect the team. Dana: While the biggest distraction cloud looming over this Cowboys team has blown away with the news of Dak Prescott’s extension, there are still some clouds forming in the distance. Mike McCarthy is coaching on the last year of his contract and Micah Parsons’ contract will be next in line. There is still time for the Cowboys front office to make decisions on both of these but it will no doubt be something that is talked about all season. That being said, this Cowboys team does a very good job about keeping all of the distractions away from the field. It won’t be the focus of conversations in the locker room and shouldn’t affect the play on game days. Be sure to check Blogging The Boys as well as @kenfigkowboy and @day_nuh_bee on X (Twitter) and also Facebook for the weekly post, asking for your questions to include in the weekly mailbag. Many thanks to everyone who send in your questions and votes.
Thursday Night Football odds, pick and live discussion: Bills at Dolphins
BILL INGRAM/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK Who wins tonight… Buffalo or Miami? The AFC East is on display tonight as the Buffalo Bills go on the road to meet the Miami Dolphins. Our partners at FanDuel have the Dolphins as 2.5-point favorites in the game. Both teams had struggles in Week 1, but both ultimately came back and prevailed. Even though Buffalo has owned Miami recently, in this game, take the Dolphins for the win at home. Dolphins 24 – Bills 20. Check out FanDuel for all of your NFL betting needs. This is an open thread for game chat.
These two new Cowboys playmakers join two vets in ‘protect for the long haul’ status
These two new Cowboys playmakers join two vets in ‘protect for the long haul’ status reidhanson The new season is underway, and the Cowboys defense find itself rich in explosive talent. Familiar faces like Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa lived up to their playmaker reputations in Week 1 but new talents like Marist Liufau and DeMarvion Overshown are also flashing as key playmakers for this 2024 campaign. The quickness and impact of these players cannot be understated. Parsons is widely considered one of, if not, the preeminent pass rusher in the NFL. Odighizuwa is fast becoming one of the league’s top pressure-producing interior defensive linemen. All four are explosive. All four are gamebreakers. All four add a special explosiveness to the Cowboys defense. And all four must be preserved for late in the year. Liufau was dinged up in Week 1, but the rookie linebacker has shown he’s an explosive second-level defender who has been said to play like his hair is on fire. And Overshown, fresh off an ACL induced redshirt season, appears to be moving at a different speed than the rest of the world. Spanning from September through potentially February, the NFL season is a long one. There are 17 regular season games and as many as four postseason games on the slate. Like a marathon, just surviving to the end is a feat onto itself. Players understandably break down. In previous years Parsons and Odighizuwa have both seen their production drop as seasons progress. They have been such critical components to the defense coaches have had a hard time taking them off the field to set a more preservation-focused pace. A similar situation could be facing the two new guys at linebacker as well. Liufau straight from college, and Overshown straight from IR, are two budding star LBs with only one game on their professional resumes. The riggers of a 17+ game season are going to hit hard this year so the question is how much of a toll will it take? All four playmakers rely heavily on their explosiveness to be difference makers. Take away that explosiveness late in the season and the Cowboys lose one of their most vital elements at a time when games mean most. Deep rotations and modest usage rates will be key to keeping Dallas’ most explosive players explosive down the stretch. This might sound like a simple ask but there’s nothing simple about it. Overshown and Liufau instantly make the defense faster which impacts both phases of the game. As some of the smartest players on the roster, they fly to the ball. Overshown specifically looks to be shot out of cannon when in pursuit, doing things other players simply cannot. Quick play at the second level is critical in stopping dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels and Daniel Jones. Those four alone represent 44 percent of the remaining games on the Cowboys regular season schedule. It’s going to be hard putting Overshown on a snap count in these games but for the long-term interest of the club, it’s necessary. Same goes for Parsons and Odighizuwa. Parsons is by far Dallas’ best edge rusher and with Sam Williams already out for the season, it will be difficult for Mike Zimmer to reduce his snaps. For the good of the postseason, he must. Odighizuwa is by far the Cowboys top interior pass rusher, yet Zimmer must find a way to do the same. He needs late season Odighizuwa looking like early season Odighizuwa and for that to happen, he probably needs a lower pitch count early. The Cowboys have to find a way to make their January look different this season. They need to keep their eye on prize and that means doing things in the early season so they can be at their best late in the season. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys injury report: Jake Ferguson doesn’t practice, Marshawn Kneeland limited
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images Here is the Dallas Cowboys injury report for Thursday The Dallas Cowboys resumed practice for day two of their on-field preparation for the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys enter the week tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the lead in the NFC East and are favored to win at home against the Saints as they look to begin the year 2-0. What’s interesting is that while a 2-0 start seems insignificant, the Cowboys have not started 2-0 in consecutive years since 2008. For the Cowboys to accomplish that feat, being as healthy as possible is at the forefront. Here’s where the Cowboys stand after day two of practice this week. Thursday’s injury report for Saints-Cowboys … Taliese Fuaga downgraded with a back issue. That’ll obviously be a big one to watch. Tyrann Mathieu and Lucas Patrick return to practice after missing Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/MLthRRjoJR — Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) September 12, 2024 Jake Ferguson was seen working with the coaches today but officially was cited as a DNP at practice. There was some optimism that Ferguson had an outside chance of playing against New Orleans, but seeing him on the report is trending in the wrong direction. After getting a limited practice due to rest yesterday, Eric Kendricks, Brandin Cooks, Demarcus Lawrence, and Zack Martin ramped up their involvement Thursday and were full participants. Tight John Stephens, who made the team as a second-year undrafted free agent, was seen working in a limited fashion at practice, yet was also marked down as DNP. Assuming that both Ferguson and Stephens are ruled out tomorrow, Hunter Leupke, Breveyn Spann-Ford, and Luke Schoonmaker will be the primary options to fill the void. Marshawn Kneeland was present during Thursday’s practice after missing yesterday with a calf injury and listed as limited. Hopefully, Kneeland can log another practice tomorrow to solidify his chances to play against the Saints, but we’ll see if his status changes tomorrow and Saturday. The Saints’ secondary welcomed back one of their most integral players Thursday. Tyrann Mathieu (heel), but Marshon Lattimore was cited as DNP again Thursday. Tight end Foster Moreau, who scored a touchdown last week against the Carolina Panthers, was upgraded to a full participant in recovery from a concussion. Finally, Saints tackle Tailese Fuaga was downgraded to DNP with a back injury. That is a very important one to monitor the rest of the week.
Dallas Cowboys 2024 opponent preview: 2 Saints to keep an eye on
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images There are a couple of Saints players who present greater challenges than others. 2023 Overview The New Orleans Saints were a middling team in 2023. Finishing just over .500 and missing the playoffs, they showed shades of good, but not quite good enough. With internal drama centered around Michael Thomas, and up and down play of Derek Carr, the Saints look to turn the page this season and be more consistent. Saints File 2023 Record: 9-8 (2nd in NFC South) Last Meeting: 12/02/21 27-17 Cowboys victory. (Dallas leads all-time series 18-13) Head Coach: Dennis Allen (25-46 as head coach) Key Additions: EDGE Chase Young, OT Olisaemeka Udoh, LB Khaleke Hudson Key Departures: QB Jameis Winston, WR Michael Thomas, CB Issac Yiadom Player to watch… Alvin Kamara Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images It doesn’t matter how old he is, or how many injuries he’s fought through during his career—anytime Alvin Kamara is on a football field he is someone to watch out for. After a Week 1 performance that produced 85 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, Kamara is looking to attack a Cowboys rush defense that is still looking to prove they are formidable in 2024. Beyond just handing the ball off to him, Kamara is still a dangerous weapon in the passing game and it will be up to the linebackers and safeties of the Cowboys to ensure he doesn’t take the game over in a multitude of ways. Dallas will need to ensure Kamara is corralled early on, not letting him get going and it becoming a bit of a snowball effect. With other options that present challenges, Kamara still may be the biggest one to worry about in Week 2. Don’t forget about… Rashid Shaheed Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images Dallas would have every right to get lost in trying to control Kamara and pass-catching weapon Chris Olave. However, while doing so they can’t afford to let Rashid Shaheed be a forgotten man. Shaheed is coming off of a three-reception, 73-yard day with one touchdown to boot. He reminded the league how much of an explosive threat he is and the Cowboys secondary will need to be ready for the Saints to try big shots all afternoon. Dallas appears to have a strong secondary and a pass rush that is relentless in nature, boding well for them to be able to keep the Saints at bay. However, if they aren’t on their A-game, Shaheed and Co. could very well hand them their first loss of the season.
