Cowboys RT Terence Steele proving quite the tricky analysis reidhanson Terence Steele isn’t very good. The fifth-year vet has allowed the third most pressures in the NFL from the tackle position in 2024. In Pro Football Focus’ pass block grades he’s fourth lowest among those with seven or more starts. And the seven sacks he’s given up ties him with backup OT Fred Johnson for worst in the NFL. At the same time, Steele is also pretty darn good. The 27-year-old is, at times, a dominant run blocker. Steele grades as the 13th best run blocking OT in the NFL. On zone runs in 2024 he ranks eighth amongst his peers. While Steele has been called for three false starts, he hasn’t been called for a single hold in run blocking this season. Steele is a liability in pass protection and an asset in run blocking. It’s a situation that surely gives the Cowboys fits because Steele represents both extremes at the OT position. He’s a player to run the ball behind but also someone in pass protection to be wary of. When Steele originally signed his five-year, $82,500,000 extension, he was coming off a career season. Though injury ended that year prematurely, Steele had established himself as an elite run blocker and adequate pass protector in 2022. It’s taken time for Steele to bounce back, but as a run blocker, he appears to be finally arriving. Unfortunately, as a pass protector he’s still a far cry from adequate. It’s made Steele a lightning rod for criticism in 2024 and a likely cap casualty in the offseason. While he’s technically signed through 2028, the Cowboys can cut him in 2025 for $14 million in savings. The Cowboys will likely be looking to cut costs over the winter as they rebuild their roster for next year. Middle class players like Steele could very well be out the door, even if they have posted some impressive highlights over the years. It’s understandable many have been critical of Steele over recent weeks. He’s one of the highest-paid players on the roster and routinely gives up pressures, killing drives and frustrating fans. But it’s worth acknowledging Steele is pretty good in some areas too. Steele’s an excellent run blocker and for that he deserves recognition. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys backup predicted to get $10 million contract in free agency
Cowboys backup predicted to get $10 million contract in free agency K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys might not be able to resuscitate their playoff chances in 2024, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to salvage from the season. Dallas sits at 3-6 and will watch the rest of the league play their Week 11 games before they get a chance to take the field. While there’s still plenty of action left in the season, the Cowboys are likely playing for draft positioning, not playoff positioning. But playing out the string can benefit individual players. Dallas has a ton of free agents who could be auditioning for either a new coaching staff in Dallas or a new franchise outside of the DFW. That includes quarterback Trey Lance. Sooner or later, the coaching staff is going to give Lance a shot at starting, though it won’t be in Week 11. But when he does, one outlet has confidence he’s going to play pretty well. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon identified the fifth-year quarterback as someone on the verge of making a name for himself in the writer’s 5 Bold Predictions for the rest of the 2024 season. Gagnon thinks Lance will take the opportunity afforded with Dak Prescott’s pending surgery, and run with it all the way to a lucrative contract in the offseason. Right place, right time. The Cowboys have lost Dak Prescott for the remainder of the year, and Cooper Rush has been so bad that Trey Lance is bound to get some serious work down the stretch. Surrounded by plenty of talent, look for the skilled 24-year-old to put on some shows just as his contract expires. I’m not saying he’ll salvage his career, but the 2021 No. 3 pick is in the ideal environment to fire up some teams that might be desperate enough to believe he could be a late-blooming answer. At the very least, Lance will do enough to earn a Sam Darnold-like top-tier backup contract as an insurance policy somewhere. A Sam Darnold like deal would net Lance around $10 million on a one-year contract to prove himself; that’s what the former Jet was provided to be the backup in Minnesota to a rookie QB. JJ McCarthy was lost for the year to injury and Darnold stepped in and has led the Vikings into the playoff picture, surprising many. If Lance has that in him, then he will probably lose the Cowboys some draft slot positioning and earn them a 2026 compensatory pick.
Cowboys starter with rehab group to start Week 11; backup OL has practice window activated
Cowboys starter with rehab group to start Week 11; backup OL has practice window activated Todd Brock Get ready for the possibility of more personnel swapping along the Cowboys’ offensive line. With rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton already having sat out last Sunday’s game against Philadelphia with a neck/shoulder injury, backup Asim Richards got the Week 10 start and played well enough to leave Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy “impressed,” despite the team’s 34-6 blowout loss. Guyton is reportedly “trending towards being healthy” for the team’s next outing, per the team website. But now the spot next to him on the Dallas O-line is suddenly worth monitoring with the 6-4 Houston Texans coming to town for a Monday night intrastate clash. Third-year left guard Tyler Smith was seen wearing a knee wrap during the media portion of Wednesday’s practice session, according to multiple observers. The 23-year-old worked with the rehab group, along with cornerback DaRon Bland, who has yet to make his 2024 debut after a foot injury suffered in camp. https://twitter.com/tommy_yarrish/status/1856769903971233857/ It is not known what sort of issue Smith is experiencing. The team will not release its first practice report of the week until Thursday. Houston enters Week 11 ranked seventh leaguewide in sacks, with 29. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] In a separate move that may or may not be coincidental, reserve lineman Chuma Edoga had his 21-day practice window activated on Wednesday. The veteran had been sidelined with a toe injury prior to the season opener. Edoga started six games last season– four at left tackle and two at left guard- and could therefore theoretically be in play if Smith is unable to go. T.J. Bass is officially listed on the team website as the primary backup to both right guard Zack Martin and Smith at left guard. Smith currently has the third-most snaps on the Cowboys offense through nine games this season, appearing in nearly 96% of the unit’s on-field action. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys head coach surprisingly low on Hot Seat scale for remainder of 2024
Cowboys head coach surprisingly low on Hot Seat scale for remainder of 2024 K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys are down, and fading fast. Sitting with a 3-6 record, they haven’t quite reached a projected top-10 draft selection, but they are much closer to the No. 1 overall selection than they are to making the playoffs. The man at the center of it all is head coach Mike McCarthy, who appears to be on his last legs as a playcaller. McCarthy took over the duties from Kellen Moore, who himself is on his second OC job since leaving Dallas, but has the Eagles at 7-2 and in first place with a rejuvenated rushing attack centered around Saquon Barkley. Meanwhile the Cowboys’ offense has fallen flat this season. And now with Dak Prescott out for the year, it doesn’t appear to have any semblance of picking up. That will likely mean the end of McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas, but one outlet doesn’t think he’s in danger of facing the same fate as Robert Saleh (NY Jets) or Dennis Allen (Saints). Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report ranks McCarthy’s chances of being let go in season as a lowly 2 out of 10. The 3-6 Cowboys are falling apart. The defense stinks, players are publicly criticizing their head coach, and quarterback Dak Prescott appears headed for season-ending hamstring surgery. A significant rebuild is incoming, and McCarthy won’t be a part of it. However, the Cowboys may not fire their head coach because they don’t have to. McCarthy is in the final year of his contract, which Dallas can simply choose not to renew. Franchise owner Jerry Jones probably won’t pull the plug on McCarthy before the offseason. The only time Jones has fired a coach in-season came in 2010, when he replaced Wade Phillips with Jason Garrett. He’s stated publicly that he won’t repeat that decision in 2024. Realistically, Jones will only deviate from his plan if a coach who isn’t currently employed by another team decides he wants to get an early start on the 2025 season—and, yes, we’re thinking of Bill Belichick, probably as much as Jones is. Hot Seat Level: 2, until McCarthy’s contract expires, then he’s gone Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys Headlines: Jerry defends Zeke, sun at stadium; Dallas flexed out of primetime?
Dak opts to undergo season-ending surgery, headed to injured reserve :: The Mothership Link Prescott’s medical consultation this week ended with him doing what most had expected all along. The quarterback is slated for Wednesday surgery to repair his partially torn hamstring. The Cowboys, as a result, will place Prescott on injured reserve and officially end his 2024 season. The veteran will reportedly remain involved in game planning in the weeks to come. Why Dak Prescott’s contract is the Cowboys’ biggest mistake in lost 2024 season :: Dallas Morning News Link Of everything that’s gone wrong in 2024- and the list is long- Prescott’s monster contract suddenly feels like it may have been a huge mistake. If this were still the final year of the QB’s deal, the team could be looking at Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Miami’s Cam Ward, or Texas’ Quinn Ewers in a totally different light right now. If the team were going to cash in on Prescott’s and CeeDee Lamb’s new contracts, this year was their best chance. They can still draft a top prospect come spring, but it won’t be a franchise-changing quarterback. The Cowboys have made their very expensive bed; now they’ll have to lie in it for the foreseeable future. Cowboys 9x All-Pro predicted to cut ties with Dallas, join Bears :: Cowboys Wire Link Zack Martin has been a mainstay on the Cowboys offensive line and, even in a down year, remains one of the top guards in football. If the surefire Hall of Famer becomes a free agent after this season and wants to keep playing, he’ll have suitors. The Chargers could have interest, but the Bears would surely love to have him protecting young quarterback Caleb Williams as he continues his development. Cowboys $20 million star predicted to cut ties with Dallas in favor of Commanders or Lions :: Cowboys Wire Link There a real chance that DeMarcus Lawrence won’t return to Dallas in 2025 either. If he leaves in free agency, he’s also expected to draw heavy interest. While he could be an intriguing bookend for Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit, it’s very easy to imagine Dan Quinn making a move to bring his former pass-rushing star to Washington. Jerry Jones delusional take on Ezekiel Elliott will leave Cowboys fans speechless :: SI.com Link The Cowboys owner is, as always, sticking to his guns. Even while suggesting he’s “not living in the past,” Jones told a radio audience that he’s still seeing positive things on the field from Elliott. The two-time rushing champ is having the worst statistical season of his career and has reportedly been a distraction around the facility this year, even to the point of getting himself benched in Week 9. Jerry Jones continues to insist that the blinding sun at AT&T Stadium is a home-field advantage, doesn’t want a curtain :: Yahoo Sports Link Jones is now spinning the blinding sun exposure at AT&T Stadium as a home-field advantage, as if it were the same as Green Bay’s bitter winter weather, the famous swirling wind in Pittsburgh’s south end zone, or Seattle’s cacophonous fans. “That’s our advantage,” he said. “That should be our advantage. We get to play there more, and we get to have it as an advantage. It has been an advantage for us to know where the sun is. I don’t want to change that.” Jones touted the deliberate outdoor feel of the indoor stadium, despite the roof being left open for less than 25% of all Cowboys games played there since the venue opened. Eagles’ Kellen Moore admits Jalen Hurts, offense blinded by sunlight in stadium during blowout win vs. Cowboys :: CBS Sports Link Moore told reporters he went into Sunday’s game well aware of the sun issues at AT&T Stadium, dating back to his days as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator and even as the team’s backup quarterback. “You just have to call plays according to it,” Moore said, “knowing certain parts of the field at times can be a little bit challenging.” Fatal flaw prevented Cowboys CB from two interceptions in Week 10 :: Cowboys Wire Link Caelen Carson has struggled, especially since returning from injury. On at least two occasions on Sunday, he had an opportunity for an easy interception. Underthrown passes were there for the taking if only the rookie would have turned his head to locate the ball. He’ll have to improve his ball-tracking skills in order to turn into the draft-day steal most observers thought he was when he was selected in the fifth round. Expanded Cowboys-Eagles analysis :: Cowboys Wire Cowboys could be looking at multiple flexes out of big TV platforms :: ProFootballTalk Link The Cowboys’ stinker of a season could get them flexed out of several plum timeslots as the regular season draws to a close. While Week 14’s Monday night date with the Bengals is getting a high-tech alternate-broadcast treatment that will probably keep it on the docket out of necessity, Week 16’s Sunday-nighter versus the Buccaneers seems ripe for rescheduling. Same goes for the following Sunday’s rematch with the Eagles, which looks like it will no longer have the playoff implications the networks had hoped for when they slated it for a late-afternoon kickoff. Cowboys 53-man roster for Texans in Week 11: IR full of unactivated help :: Cowboys Wire Link As the 2024 season drifts further and further out of reach, the Cowboys may find themselves holding back some stars in favor of giving younger players and practice-squadders a longer look with an eye to the future. Dalvin Cook still has a gameday elevation remaining; wideout Jalen Cropper, defensive back Josh Butler, linebacker Darius Harris, and tight end Princeton Fant have two. DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland, Chuma Edoga, and Brandin Cooks are all waiting to have their 21-day practice windows opened. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders doc series renewed at Netflix :: The Hollywood Reporter Link The Cowboys are already looking ahead to next year. So are the Dallas
Bengals $7 million bargain defender predicted to cut ties with Cincy, join Cowboys
Bengals $7 million bargain defender predicted to cut ties with Cincy, join Cowboys K.D. Drummond The Dallas Cowboys have enjoyed employing one of the league’s top slot corners for several seasons. After escaping the weird-dimension doghouse of former secondary coach and passing-game coordinator Kris Richard, the former Michigan Wolverine has steadily filled his resume with outstanding seasons. However Lewis is on a one-year deal and the eight-year veteran is once again going to be a free agent this coming offseason. If the Cowboys don’t bring Lewis back, which is a huge if considering the status of the coaching staff, then the rebuild may look elsewhere for veteran leadership at the slot. That might make Mike Hilton a top consideration during 2025 free agency. At least, that’s the thought process of Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, who predicted the Bengals slot corner would join Dallas next spring. Hilton possesses a tremendous combination of ball skills, awareness, physicality and reactionary speed. He’s appeared in eight games this season, played 67 percent of the defensive snaps and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 69.3 in coverage. An overlooked part of Hilton’s game is his ability to disrupt plays via the blitz. He has recorded 16 tackles for loss since the start of last season and logged a pair of sacks in 2023. Despite his size, Hilton has flashed an impressive ability to work through blocks and disrupt the backfield throughout his NFL career. Dallas has Trevon Diggs signed to a long-term deal and has another year of cheap control of DaRon Bland. Assuming the former continues to recover from his lost 2023 season due to an ACL tear and the latter can get over the foot injury that’s wiped out his 2024 campaign to this point, slot is the only real consideration for the cornerback group in 2025.
Cowboys 53-man roster for Texans in Week 11: IR full of unactivated help
The Dallas Cowboys’ season is close to being written off. With a 3-6 record and facing their fourth and fifth consecutive winning teams over the next two weeks, nothing is expected to get better before it gets worse. There’s a realistic shot the team goes into Thanksgiving five games below .500. Last week, Dallas got a little bit of help back with the return of Micah Parsons. Parsons was one of several players who were injured around the beginning of October who had been absent for a while. Though never put on the Reserved/Injured list, it was known his high ankle sprain would keep him out of the lineup for several weeks. Several other players went on IR around that time, and those players are becoming elegible to be activated this week or next. DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who had a lisfranc injury in his foot, and WR Brandin Cooks, who had a procedure done on his knee, were technically eligible to have their 21-day practice windows activated last week. DE Marshawn Kneeland is eligible this week. Dallas has only won one game since the first two went out and none with all three missing. Wednesday’s practice will be the first official tell. For now, here’s a review of the 53-man roster, 16-man practice squad and the full slate of players on IR. No. 1 WR Jalen Tolbert Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert (18) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports No. 2 CB Jourdan Lewis Sep 25, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports No. 4 QB Dak Prescott Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) smiles on the field after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports No. 5 Punter Bryan Anger Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger (5) prepares for the game against the Giants, at MetLife Stadium. Sunday, September 10, 2023 No. 6 Safety Donovan Wilson Wednesday: — | Thursday: — | Friday: — No. 7 CB Trevon Diggs Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs talks to a member of the Mavericks staff during the second quarter of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports No. 9 WR Kavontae Turpin LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: NFL player KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys attends the NFL Pro Bowl Weekend Celebrity All-Star Game 2023 benefiting the charity D Up On Cancer at the Cox Pavilion on February 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) No. 10 QB Cooper Rush Wednesday: — | Thursday: — | Friday: DNP No. 11 DE Micah Parsons Jun 5, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parson (11) warms up during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports No. 13 LB DeMarvion Overshown Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports No. 14 Safety Markquese Bell Wednesday: Limited | No. 15 RB Ezekiel Elliott Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) on the field during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports No. 17 Kicker Brandon Aubrey Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) watches his field goal in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports No. 18 LB Damone Clark : Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports No. 19 QB Trey Lance EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Trey Lance #15 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) No. 21 CB Caelen Carson No. 23 RB Rico Dowdle ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12: Rico Dowdle #23 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) No. 24 Safety Israel Mukuamu Aug 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Israel Mukuamu (24) walks off the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports No. 26 CB DaRon Bland Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Bland was returned to the 53-man roster in Week 9. No. 28 Safety Malik Hooker Jul 29, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports No. 29 CB C.J. Goodwin Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Goodwin (29) catches a pass for a first down on a fake punt in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports No. 30 Safety Juanyeh Thomas Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) during pregame warm ups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports No. 35 LB Marist Liufau No. 40 FB Hunter Luepke Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke (43) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA
Fatal flaw prevented Cowboys CB from two interceptions in Week 10
Fatal flaw prevented Cowboys CB from two interceptions in Week 10 reidhanson When the Cowboys selected Caelen Carson in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, fans and draftniks alike declared it a steal. The cornerback out of Wake Forest looked like a well-rounded prospect capable of fitting any system and serving any role. As a jack-of-all-trades he didn’t come with an obvious Pro Bowl skillset, but he brought starting ability which is pretty impressive two rounds into Day 3 of the draft. Like many rookie CBs, Carson struggles with consistency. He sprinkles in missed tackles with made tackles and good coverage with bad coverage. All of that is perfectly forgivable for a player as green as Carson but one fatal flaw threatens everything: ball tracking. On at least two occasions on Sunday, Carson had an opportunity for an easy interception. Underthrown passes were there for the taking if only Carson would have just turned his head to locate the ball. Against the Eagles in Week 10, Carson was frequently targeted by Jalen Hurts. Before getting replaced late, Carson gave up five receptions off seven targets. The 108 yards given up by him were 66 more than the next closest Cowboy. It was Carson’s lowest graded day as a pro and a clear setback in his once-exciting trajectory. Ball tracking is far easier said than done and despite many players’ best intensions, some CBs never develop the ability turn and track. It’s this aspect of the game that could make or break Carson in the NFL. Keep in mind, even when in good position and step for step with his assignment, Hurts showed zero hesitation letting loose and airmailing a ball in Carson’s direction. Without showing he could turn and track, the rookie wasn’t a threat to ever put those passes in jeopardy. It offered consequence-free passing and made him a frequent target all afternoon. Carson’s current game is the antithesis of what Trevon Diggs offers at the position. QBs are forced to second guess their decisions throwing Diggs’ way because what he lacks in tight coverage, he makes up for in generational ball skills. He offered proof of this when he made a jaw-dropping interception in the endzone on Sunday. It makes him an asset for Dallas even when he’s not playing the crispest game. If Carson can’t develop the ability to turn and track, he may be resigned to a supporting role in zone schemes. That’s not the worst thing in the world but it pigeonholes a player who was once touted for his versatility and flexibility. 10 weeks into his rookie season and Carson has struggled to live up to the draft day hype. Injuries have relegated the 22-year-old to just five games this year and the action he has seen has been unconvincing and uninspiring for those who once declared him the Cowboys’ steal of the draft. The good news is Carson was thrown into the fire way before any Day 3 prospect should be. If it wasn’t for a preseason injury to DaRon Bland, Carson would have had a much different start to his career. There is still plenty of time for development and that starts with building confidence and playing to his strengths. Pushing Carson back down to CB4 might be the best way to handle this situation because it would allow Mike Zimmer to use him more in Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone situations and less in those pesky Cover 1 looks that asks him to man up. Based on his Week 10 game, he needs steppingstones so he can build his confidence. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.
Cowboys Headlines: Micah, McCarthy make up; CeeDee requests curtains; Romo gets call
Updates: Overshown, Guyton get positive prognosis :: The Mothership Link Tyler Guyton’s neck/shoulder injury kept him out of the lineup versus the Eagles, but it may be cleared up by next Monday in time for the Texans. “He was in this morning early, I think they feel really good about him playing this week.” Stephen Jones said. Asim Richards filled in for the first-rounder on Sunday and played well at left tackle. Report: Cowboys LB gets encouraging update on Sunday’s knee injury :: Cowboys Wire Link The linebacker’s play was one of the rare bright spots in Sunday’s loss, but a knee injury that took him out for a chunk of the game caused concern. Overshown reportedly has a case of bursitis in his right knee. While painful and possibly limiting in terms of movement, it is not believed to be a serious injury. “Treatment and rehab” will be the course of action this week. Parsons makes waves with remarks interpreted as shot at McCarthy’s Cowboys future :: Cowboys Wire Link Asked about the locker room’s feelings on Mike McCarthy and whether he’ll be back next season, Parsons touched off a firestorm, even if it was accidental. “Mike can leave and go wherever he wants,” Parsons said, “but guys I kind of feel bad for is guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year, on their way out, because that’s who I want to go hold the trophy for. You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did.” Debate raged Monday over whether the edge rusher’s comments were an inexcusable disrespect of his head coach or just a poorly-worded show of support for the veteran players for whom the window is closing. McCarthy, Micah clear the air on viral comments after Cowboys’ sixth loss :: The Mothership Link McCarthy said he and Parsons sat down Monday, “and we handled those things as men should handle it,” he explained. The coach believes that it was not his edge rusher’s intent to offend him with comments about his job status or the time he puts in doing it. “We’ve got to keep it about football, bear down on the things we know we need to improve on, build off of some of the things we didn’t.” Micah goes after critics after comments :: Bleacher Report CeeDee Lamb wants Cowboys to block sunlight with curtains after drop :: ESPN Link Lamb should have had a second-quarter touchdown grab, and he knows exactly where to lay the blame for coming up empty. He was seen motioning to teammates that the sun had been in his eyes. So would he be in favor of AT&T Stadium using curtains during these late-afternoon fall games? “Yes,” he said unequivocally. “1,000 percent.” Jerry Jones lashes out at question about sun’s glare at AT&T Stadium after Cowboys’ loss :: USA Today Link The Cowboys owner got sarcastic after being asked about the topic that seems to come up every season. “Well, let’s tear the damn stadium down and build another one?” Jones quipped. “Are you kidding me?” He maintains the team is well aware of the sun positioning before every game. “We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium… Every team that comes in here has the same issues.” Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott explains what he saw on ‘disgusting’ red-zone fumble vs. Eagles :: Dallas Morning News Link Elliott’s return after a one-game benching netted him 22 yards on six carries… and one major miscue. “I think the guy just got his helmet on the ball,” he explained of his goal-line turnover. “I got to go two hands or just can’t, that’s [an] unacceptable fumble in the red zone. It’s disgusting.” Elliott says the support he’s gotten from teammates after being made inactive in Week 9 has meant a great deal. McCarthy reveals Cowboys’ Week 11 QB plan; report names third-stringer to be added :: Cowboys Wire Link The coach confirmed that Cooper Rush would remain the starter as the team preps to face Houston. He also said the team was in the process of adding a third quarterback to the squad. A later report identified the mystery man as Will Grier, the 2019 third-round draft pick of West Virginia who served as a Cowboys backup in 2021 and 2022 and was cut after the trade for Trey Lance. Sorry, Dak. Dallas Cowboys must now consider drafting a quarterback in the first round (Opinion) :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram Link The Cowboys’ $60 million man is on the wrong side of 30 and now has to be considered “injury-prone.” That’s already not a formula for long-term success, but Cooper Rush and Trey Lance showed Sunday that there is no sufficient safety net at the position. Given the way the season is progressing and the high draft pick that seems to be coming, the organization needs to borrow a page from the Falcons and grab an elite propect as their QB of the future… even while the current guy is still here. Cowboys fan calls on Romo to take over :: Pat Doney Cowboys-Eagles postgame analysis :: Cowboys Wire 20 candidates to replace Mike McCarthy as Cowboys head coach :: Cowboys Wire Link The watch list includes USC’s Lincoln Riley; Georgia’s Kirby Smart; former Titans coach Mike Vrabel; current coordinators Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Bobby Slowik, Klint Kubiak, and Kliff Kingsbury, former Cowboys star Deion Sanders, and the legendary Bill Belichick. Dallas Cowboys set up screen to block sun from coaches at news conference :: Fox 4 KDFW Link After all the talk about the sun getting in the eyes of players during Sunday’s game, the team took extra steps to make sure it didn’t happen to McCarthy during his Monday press conference. Referencing the sunscreen that had been erected near his podium, the coach opened his remarks with an obvious question.
Winners and Losers: Pressure game returns with Parsons, but glaring issues doom Cowboys
Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is a flavor of choice many fans don’t see eye to eye on, but his recent performance has been worthy of applause. The former undrafted free agent out of TCU ran 12 times for 53 yards generating 4.4 yards per carry. On the outside, that stat line will go unnoticed but it’s the philosophy behind his lack of carries that makes him a winner. Dowdle ranks 7th in success rate throughout the NFL, averaging 4.5 yards a carry. Head coach Mike McCarthy has spoken at length about getting the run game going but his playcalling suggests his remarks are merely lip service to appease the fan base. Dowdle ranks 35th in rushing this season with 374 yards. He is 36th in carries with 83 suggesting a higher volume of rushes would put him on par with the other lead running backs in the league. A free agent at the end of the year, Dowdle may venture into free agency and be a real find for someone willing to commit to running the football.
