Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Your Sunday morning Cowboys news. Cowboys Reveal Bad Trevon Diggs Surgery News Amid 5 Roster Moves – Mike Fisher, Athlon Sports Another one bites the dust. Former All-Pro cornerback will undergo surgery. The Dallas Cowboys have had their season rocked by injuries, and in truth, it started back in training camp when Sam Williams suffered an ACL injury. Since then, it’s all been downhill. Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, Brandin Cooks, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, Juanyeh Thomas, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, Asim Richards, Caelen Carson, Markquese Bell, Tyler Guyton, and now DeMarvion Overshown have all missed time this season. Yes, “this is football’’ and injuries are a part of it and all of that. But … Whoever has that voodoo doll has been working overtime. And now we know more about the Cowboys getting needled as on Saturday they made moves involving five guys. Pro Bowl CB Trevon Diggs is not only out … he is also now set to have season-ending knee surgery, per Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Diggs will now not be traveling with Cowboys to the Panthers game. Also, CB Andrew Booth and C Dakoda Shepley are called up. And LB DeMarvion Overshown moves to IR. Cowboys Rumors: Execs Feel Jones May Keep ‘Lame Duck’ HC McCarthy with Strong Finish – Adam Peters, Bleacher Report It’s not over yet for Mike McCarthy. Despite a disappointing season, some executives think Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy could save his job with a strong finish to the year. Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, executives around the league believe the Cowboys “might stick with their ‘lame duck’ coach if they see enough progress and the locker room support the coach has received continues.” Russini also reported that stars like quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons have vocally supported McCarthy as head coach throughout the season. The Cowboys’ playoff odds got even worse after they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday to drop to 5-8. To avoid elimination this week, they would need to win their matchup against the Carolina Panthers while also getting some help from the Washington Commanders, who would need to lose or tie against the New Orleans Saints, per the NFL Playoff Scenarios. Even if it can avoid being eliminated from the playoff picture this week, Dallas would need a bit of a miracle to sneak into the postseason with just four games remaining. In McCarthy’s defense, his squad has been depleted by injuries this year with Prescott suffering a season-ending hamstring injury and Parsons missing a few games due to an ankle sprain. In total, the Cowboys have had 13 players on the injured reserve list this year. 3 Cowboys who have earned large contracts in free agency – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside the Star These players have done enough to command a pay raise. DT Osa Odighizuwa Osa Odighizuwa is another player who is in line for a payday after his rookie contract expires after this season. Osa has played well for the Cowboys, recording 27 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, and 53 QB hits in his career. The former UCLA Bruin has not been a stalwart in rush defense. At 280 pounds, he is more adept and rushing the passer. Defensive tackles who can rush the passer are gold for defensive coordinators. For that reason, he might be re-signed by the Cowboys, but I wouldn’t put my money on it. If Osa is allowed to walk in free agency along with Linval Joseph, the only defensive tackles left on the roster who have contributed would be Mazi Smith and…Mazi Smith. Another position group depleted. OL Brock Hoffman Brock Hoffman has the chance to add even more to his resume over the last four games of the season. Hoffman started at right guard in place of an injured Zack Martin, and he played great. He also has the flexibility to play center, as he showed us against Cincinnati after Cooper Beebe suffered a concussion. Hoffman is likely in line for the start at center once again against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday, and his fire and competitiveness on the field are a big reason the Cowboys have been playing tougher and more competitive football recently. As an undrafted free agent, Hoffman climbed the ranks with hard work and dedication, and now he is a quality starter on the offensive line. He is one that I believe the Cowboys will spend in free agency for him to stay. Cowboy vs Panthers: 3 bold predictions for Sunday’s matchup-Matthew Holleran, Blogging the Boys These hot takes that could happen in today’s game versus the Panthers. 1) Bryce Young continues his resurgence, tossing multiple touchdown passes for the second time this season Coming into the season, we knew how big of a year 2024 was for Bryce Young. The former number-one overall pick struggled during his rookie year, completing just 59% of his passes and throwing for 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. It was imperative to both Young and the Panthers that the 23-year-old quarterback progressed during the offseason and got off to a good start this season. Unfortunately for both parties, the opposite occurred. Young struggled to the tune of just three touchdown passes and six interceptions in the first six games he played in this season. Things got so bad that he eventually was benched and replaced by veteran Andy Dalton. Young eventually got his job back after Dalton suffered an unfortunate thumb injury in a car accident. While he didn’t light the world on fire right out of the gate, Young’s last five performances have been much better. The young quarterback has thrown five touchdown passes to just one interception in those games, three coming against capable opponents in the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Over those three weeks with games against potential playoff teams, Young is ninth in the NFL in EPA/Play (0.154) and thirteenth in EPA + CPOE. (0.109)

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images What’s your opinion on this year’s rookie class for Dallas? Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. 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 or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com) Dallas Cowboys Tyler Guyton First RoundGuyton didn’t play last week with an ankle sprain. He may actually play in this week’s game as he has practiced in full this week, but some comments coming from the organization hint that the chance of him playing this week is remote. Keep a close eye on the inactive list on game day. Grade: 49.2 Marshawn Kneeland Second RoundKneeland was back on the field last week in a limited role. He played 23 snaps and made two tackles. Look for him to continue a rotational role at the moment.Grade: 55.1 Cooper Beebe Third RoundBeebe missed the second half last week and was having a good game up until then. He has already been ruled out this week as he tries to clear concussion protocol. Grade: 64.4 Marist Liufau Third RoundWatching Liufau develop these past few weeks is exciting. Using his speed and burst to come in and create extra pressure on passing downs is fun to watch, and leading the team last week in sacks is a positive stepping stone to him creating a unique role for himself among the Dallas linebackers. He has a tough ask this week though as the Panthers offensive line have allowed the fourth-fewest sacks. Grade: 46.5 Caelen Carson Fifth RoundMoved to Injured ReserveGrade: 39.7 Ryan Flournoy Sixth RoundFlournoy showcased his straight line speed last week as a gunner on special teams. He was great at getting downfield quickly and shutting down return options. Expect much the same from him for now.Grade: 59.4 Brevyn Spann-Ford UDFAFord saw his snap count go down last week with the return of Jake Ferguson. He’s proven to be a good run blocker and as the TE3 that will really be his key role on offense. Other than that his other role on special teams will keep him busy. Grade: 56.7 Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Carolina Panthers Xavier Legette First RoundIt’s been a tough start for the standout South Carolina receiver. He’s only managed 39 receptions for 432 yards this year, but he’s hampered by a generally poor roster. Having Bryce Young back at quarterback raised his stock a little, but he’s yet to score a touchdown now in five weeks.Grade: 59.5 Jonathon Brooks Second RoundMoved to Injured ReserveGrade: 51.5 Trevin Wallace Third RoundThe young Kentucky linebacker was pushed into a starting role this year due to injury. Now he will miss this week’s game due to a shoulder injury and that creates a huge headache for the Panthers coaching staff as the linebacker position is already thin. Grade: 56.0 Ja’Tavion Sanders Fourth RoundThis Longhorns tight end was never a huge blocker in college but he’s a fast and reliable receiver. This year he has 302 receiving yards and one touchdown, which isn’t bad considering the offense he has to work with. The most receptions he has in a game this season came against Washington where he had six catches. Grade: 55.0 Chau Smith-Wade Fifth RoundAnother player that moved into a starting role due to injury. You’ll find Wade defending the slot primarily on the Panthers defense. He allows a 70% completion rate and is third on defense in penalties. Facing Lamb in the slot will be interesting to watch, especially given the fact that this Panthers defense has given the second-most receiving touchdowns this year. Grade: 53.4 Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images The Cowboys have played their way into making this week’s game in Carolina feel pretty irrelevant. For the second consecutive season, the Dallas Cowboys will visit the Carolina Panthers for a late season matchup that feels like a bit of a footnote. The year-to-year nature of the NFL will be on full display this Sunday in Charlotte, as the home Panthers are actually favorites to beat the Cowboys for just the sixth time in franchise history. Both teams come into this game with a losing record with Dallas at 5-8 and Carolina 3-10, but even the three wins the Panthers have so far is progress from the 1-8 record they had coming into last season’s Week 11 date with the Cowboys. The Cowboys beat the Panthers for their third of what would be six consecutive losses, their second such losing streak of the season, as they finished 2-15. Conversely, the Cowboys used the win to begin a new win streak that lasted five games before December road losses at Buffalo and Miami. The Cowboys relied on Dan Quinn’s takeaway-fueled defense to pull away in last year’s win at the Panthers. A DaRon Bland pick-six and strip sack that led to a Brandon Aubrey field goal both in the fourth quarter separated Dallas on the scoreboard for a 33-10 win. The Panthers had threatened at the start of the second half with a touchdown drive that put them within 17-10, but it was all Cowboys the rest of the afternoon. The Cowboys do not have that type of opportunistic defense this season in the first year under Mike Zimmer, and is only further hampered by injuries coming into Week 15 after the devastating loss of Demarvion Overshown last Monday night against the Bengals. It may actually be Dallas’ previous visit to Carolina in 2018 that feels more pertinent to this Sundays. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the site of the third youngest team in the NFL with the Panthers. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images In a season opening loss, the Cowboys managed just 232 yards and eight points in a 16-8 defeat. The Cowboys offense crossed into Panthers territory just four times with a punt, missed field goal, and turnover on downs on three of these drives. Allen Hurns had the team’s only reception of 20 yards or more, and Dak Prescott was sacked six times. It was a miserable start to a season where the Cowboys began with a wide-receiver-by-committee approach and lost in Carolina for the first time since a 2003-04 Wild Card game. Jason Garrett’s team, in his eighth season and fourth under offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, would alternate wins and losses starting at 0-1 for the first seven weeks of the season. The week eight bye became a turning point for the season as the Cowboys reacted to not being nearly good enough in the pass game and traded for then-Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper made his debut on a Monday night against the Titans the following week, and despite getting his first receiving touchdown right away, the Cowboys lost their second straight game for the first time all year. It would be their last loss until an ugly Week 15 shutout at the Colts, with former Cowboys coach Matt Eberflus in charge of the Indianapolis defense at the time. Cooper completely changed the tenor of the season and helped the Cowboys reach the Divisional playoffs for the second time under Prescott. If it weren’t for the Cowboys getting shutout for the first three quarters of the season at the Panthers, managing just one Ezekiel Elliott touchdown for the whole game, who knows what happens on the trading block for a team not exactly known for being aggressive in player acquisition. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images No such in-season saving grace of a trade is coming for the Cowboys in 2024, regardless of what happens against a Dave Canales’ Panthers team playing much better football as of late. Neither is anything close to a trip to the same Divisional round of the playoffs they have been in just once under McCarthy, with a loss at the 49ers. The only thing close to the Cowboys realizing they were not properly equipped at wide receiver in 2018 that’s occurred for this current team is realizing their running-back-by-committee approach was not working to start the season, but this also didn’t come in nearly enough time to save the season. Rico Dowdle has looked much better as the team’s true lead back, and will go for his third straight 100 yard game against a Panthers team that’s allowed 300 more rushing yards than the next worst team in the NFL this season. One team has given up more rushing touchdowns than the Panthers though, and that would be the Cowboys. With no teams on their bye and a slate full of compelling games starting this Sunday, the Cowboys do not find themselves in one of them. Dallas is four games away from having to decide the fate of a fifth-year head coach and second-year play-caller. Based on the futility this team has gone through from the start, the expectation is that a mass exodus of coaches starting with McCarthy at the top is the first thing the front office can do to show they’re serious about proving the 2024 performance is below standards. It will be a change of pace from the long leash the Garrett and Linehan regime received, with the 2018 Amari Cooper season going a long way in at least saving their jobs past that season. The disappointing playoff loss to the Rams in 2018 was the end of Linehan’s time with the team, and missing the playoffs entirely the next season marked Garrett’s last as head coach. The Cowboys must shorten the amount of time it takes them to learn such lessons, with 2024 being a very long lesson in how to set up a team for

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Los Dallas Cowboys juegan contra los Carolina Panthers el Domingo. Los Dallas Cowboys están buscando su primera gana en Diciembre y en Domingo puede encontrar lo en Carolina contra los Panthers. Ahora los Panthers están jugando muy bien y a pesar de los Cowboys falto la semana pasada, ellos también están jugando como un equipo promedio. ¿A que vamos a ver cuando los equipos juegan? Aquí tenemos 3 predicciones para el juego. DaRon Bland tiene su primera interceptación a la temporada Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Ahora DaRon Bland se jugo en 3 juegos para los Cowboys y todavía no tiene un interceptación. En 2023 cuando los Cowboys visito a Carolina, Bland tenía uno que se llevo para un touchdown. Creo que vamos a ver Bland con su primera en este juego. Cooper Rush se van a correr para un touchdown Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images En las mas reciente juegos vimos Cooper Rush corriendo un poquito. Rush no es un quarterback que se corre mucho, pero estamos viendo que cuando la momenta se llama… se puede hacer a que necesita. Los Cowboys están haciendo todo que se puede a ganar y es posible que Rush van a correr para un touchdown contra los Panthers. Hable de este tema en el más reciente video en la canal de YouTube de Blogging The Boys. ¡Subscribir (puede aqui) al canal para ver mas videos de los Dallas Cowboys en Ingles y Español! Mike McCarthy gana un challenge Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Los Cowboys están jugando en una temporada donde cosas al azar están pasando a el equipo. Como cosas están ahorita creo que un cosa loco van a pasar y Mike McCarthy van a necesita tira su challenge. A que mas… McCarthy van a ganar el challenge. Es posible como los Panthers son favoritos que este es el unicó cosa que los Cowboys ganar en Carolina.

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Trevon Diggs’ season is over. The Dallas Cowboys injury bug continues to be a thing. Cornerback Trevon Diggs, who was listed as questionable for the Cowboys Week 15 game against the Carolina Panthers, has been downgraded to out with a knee injury per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’s not only out for Sunday, but it is being reported that he will have season-ending surgery. Although he spoke this week as though expecting to play tomorrow, #Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs requires knee surgery and is out for the season.A team source says he injured his knee playing Monday night in the loss to the Bengals. His season ends prematurely for 2nd year in row. pic.twitter.com/T0UXWmwyqq — Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) December 14, 2024 Diggs was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and he didn’t practice at all on Friday. He missed two straight games against the Washington Commanders and New York Giants but returned last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. A source is reporting that Diggs injured his knee during the loss to the Bengals on Monday night. There was hope this week that he was going to play, but we now know how serious the injury is to his knee. Now with Diggs out, the Cowboys will be down four players as Cooper Beebe (concussion), Juanyeh Thomas (knee), and DeMarvion Overshown (injured reserve) are all out.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Rico Dowdle has a chance to finish the season strong. It took most of the season for the running-back-by-committee experiment to be deemed a failure, but in mid-November, Mike McCarthy finally awarded Rico Dowdle with the lead back title. While there are questions around whether this decision should have been made much earlier, there is no doubt that the running game has greatly improved since making this decision. Better late than never. In Dowdle’s first nine games, he was only averaging around 10 carries per game. Now that he is getting the bulk of the carries (19, 22, and 18 in the past three games respectively), he has proven that he is capable of being a bell cow running back. The running game for the Cowboys has turned into a strength instead of a massive glaring weakness. In the locker room interviews on Wednesday, Dowdle spoke about being able to handle the new workload. “I feel like I could go for another 12 [games]”. It has been pretty natural for him to take on this new role, as he has been a downhill, physical runner since high school. Luckily for the Cowboys, Dowdle has been able to prove that on the field. Dowdle has averaged over 109 yards per game these past three weeks with a season high 7.3 yards per carry last week against the Bengals. Currently, he is sitting at 731 total rushing yards this season and with four games left, he has a real shot at ending the season over the 1000-yard mark. Dowdle is currently on a two-game streak of surpassing 100 yards (112 against the Giants and 131 against the Bengals), and by the looks of things, he has the perfect opportunity to turn it into a three-game streak this weekend against the Carolina Panthers. Let Rico Runpic.twitter.com/NxgCqheZj4 — Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) December 10, 2024 While the Cowboys are preparing for this game in Charlotte, North Carolina this Sunday, Dowdle should be in that running backs room licking his chops watching this Panthers’ running defense on film. The Panthers are dead last in the NFL when it comes to stopping the run. They have allowed 2,211 total rushing yards this season and 170.1 yards per game, both numbers are the worst in the NFL. In fact, there has only been one game this season where they were able to keep an offense under 100 yards. Heading into this game on Sunday, the Panthers are actually favored in this matchup despite being 3-10. The past few games for them have been really tight games against some formidable opponents. The losses they suffered against the Eagles, Buccaneers, and Chiefs were all very close games that could have easily turned in their favor. If the Cowboys want to defy the odds in this matchup, the running game featuring a heavy dose of Rico Dowdle should be a top priority in their game plan.