The Cowboys come out of the bye week with a season-defining matchup against the San Francisco franchise on the docket. For years the rival 49ers have had Dallas’ number, bouncing them from the playoffs twice in the last three appearances and winning by an ever-increasing margin each game. For a team reeling like the Cowboys, a road trip to San Francisco couldn’t come at a worse time. Following the 47-9 beatdown by the Lions, Dallas is need of a Week 8 win in a very bad way. Seeing the boogieman 49ers on the schedule is far from a welcoming sight. The Cowboys roster is riddled with injuries. Not only do they lack any experienced receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb, but they are decimated at defensive end and forced to play various practice squad players just to field a team. But luck goes both ways and in the case of the 49ers, bad luck seems to be flowing heavily for them as well. Christian McCaffery and Brandon Aiyuk are both officially out for San Francisco and there’s a good chance George Kittle and/or Deebo Samuel could join them. If there’s ever a time for the Cowboys to beat their boogieman, now is it. Matchups will be critical and since the status of Kittle and Samuel is still unknown, some of the bigger name matchups will be left pending until kickoff. Other matchups are fairly obvious and don’t need much pregame coverage. The Cowboys clearly need Lamb to have a big day and based on what he’s seen throughout the 2024 season, he can expect plenty of double and bracket coverages again in Week 8. Dallas will need Lamb to be a difference maker because he’s the biggest, and arguably only, playmaker the Cowboys have, but they’ll also need to win other key matchups to upset the 3-4 49ers. Jordan Mason vs Dallas run defense Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports It’s going to take a team effort to stop Jordan Mason and the 49ers rushing attack on Sunday night. Mason, 5-foot-10 and 223 pounds, has been the engine for the San Francisco offense in 2024. Averaging 5.2 yards per carry, Mason is licking his chops at the prospect of facing the Cowboys defense. The Cowboys are dead last in the NFL in rushing defense in 2024, allowing an average of 0.16 EPA/play on the ground. This unfathomably bad number puts the Cowboys on a historic pace and renders their pass defense pointless since yards are so easy on the ground. As always, the 49ers play condensed formations to execute their wide zone attack. It sets up big plays, misdirection, and play-action passes downfield. It’s bad news for a contact-adverse team like Dallas who struggle with both missed tackles and in following run fits. If the Cowboys can keep the San Francisco running game limited to just their average weekly performance, it would constitute an enormous win. If Dallas plays it like they’ve played the run most of the season, things could get ugly. Osa Odighizuwa Vs Puni and Banks Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images A case can be made Odighizuwa is Dallas’ only plus pass rusher on the roster. With DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons missing the game, it may come down to the Cowboys 3-tech defensive tackle to provide most of the pass rush in non-blitzing situations. Mike Zimmer is likely to blitz but he’s going to need the front four to handle business on their own as well. Moving Odighizuwa from side to side inside to matchup against the 49ers’ guards is a good way to generate that. Combined with stunts and various games, Zimmer might be able to engineer some pressure with his last true starting pass rusher. Jake Ferguson vs Fred Warner Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Defenses have been homing in on Lamb this season, and for good reason. 2023’s receiving yardage leader is the only true weapon the Cowboys have on offense, so the 49ers would be fools no not double him up most of the day. In order for the Cowboys to unlock Lamb, they need Ferguson to have a big game. Occupying the All-Pro linebacker Warner on Sunday night will be key to getting the offense rolling. Brilliant in both run support and coverage, Ferguson will have his work cut out for him. The Cowboys want to run the ball and based on the 49ers injury situation, opportunities should be there. Getting thru the second level is key to getting explosive plays and that starts and ends with handling Warner. If Ferguson can be enough of a threat downfield, he can occupy Warner, and if he can handle his LB assignments on running plays, he could spark some explosive plays. Making Warner a non-factor opens things up over the middle and creates opportunities for the running game. Although that’s easier said than done. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Conclusion Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Finding complementary pieces for Lamb is important coming out of the bye week. Ferguson and Jalen Tolbert will likely see plenty of opportunities for plays. It’s critical they make them. The Cowboys have to score points because even a beat-up San Francisco squad is going to move the ball. The Cowboys want to force Brock Purdy to beat them. They can’t let Mason dominate on the ground and control possession. Related articles (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys are going to have to wait at least another week for the debut of the Diggs-DaRon Boundary Duo. After it appeared All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland was trending towards making his season debut against the Lions, what has to be ruled a setback occurred late in the practice week. The troubling part is that after a bye, he missed all three Week 8 practices and still has not been added back to the 53-man roster. DT Jordan Phillips, who had a controversial move to IR with a wrist injury, has returned to practice this week, but the team did not activate the veteran for this matchup, either. The Cowboys lost TE John Stephens, Jr, earlier this week, suffering an ACL to the same knee that knocked him out of 2023. But all the news is not bad. The Cowboys are elevating RB Dalvin Cook from the practice squad; signaling his debut in a Dallas uniform. https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js As it stands, here is the 53-man roster Dallas will go into Sunday with, pending any additional moves (such as a second elevation, or moving players to IR). Quarterbacks (3) Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) waves to the crowd as he leaves the field after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Dak Prescott Cooper Rush Trey Lance Running Backs (5) 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) Rico Dowdle Ezekiel Elliott Hunter Luepke Deuce Vaughn Dalvin Cook (1st of 3 elevations) Tight Ends (4) Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) runs with the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Jake Ferguson Luke Schoonmaker John Stephens, Jr. (Out) Brevyn Spann-Ford Wide Receivers (5) Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) walks the field before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images CeeDee Lamb Jalen Tolbert Kavontae Turpin Jalen Brooks Ryan Flournoy Offensive Tackles (4) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton #60 of the Dallas Cowboys stretches during training camp on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Tyler Guyton Terence Steele Asim Richards Matt Waletzko Offensive Guards (3) Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) runs through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Zack Martin Tyler Smith TJ Bass Centers (2) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Defensive tackle Kobie Turner #91 of the Los Angeles Rams locks up with center Brock Hoffman #67 of the Dallas Cowboys during a skirmish between the two teams during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Cooper Beebe Brock Hoffman Defensive Ends (4) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 17: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) Micah Parsons (out) Chauncey Golston Tyrus Wheat Carl Lawson Defensive Tackles (4) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Linebacker Micah Parsons #11 and defensive tackle Mazi Smith #58 of the Dallas Cowboys throw punches aa they jokingly spar prior to a training session on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Osa Odighizuwa Mazi Smith Linval Joseph Carlos Watkins Linebackers (6) Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Eric Kendricks DeMarvion Overshown Damone Clark Marist Liufau Buddy Johnson Nick Vigil Cornerbacks (5) Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) celebrate after Diggs intercepts a pass against the Washington Commanders during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Trevon Diggs Jourdan Lewis Caelen Carson Israel Mukuamu Andrew Booth Safeties (4) OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against safety Malik Hooker #28 and Donovan Wilson #6 of the Dallas Cowboys during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Malik Hooker Donovan Wilson Juanyeh Thomas Markquese Bell Special Teams (4) INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys watches his field goal with Bryan Anger #5, to take a 12-6 lead over the Los Angeles Rams, in a 13-12 Rams win during a preseason game at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Brandon Aubrey Bryan Anger Trent Sieg CJ Goodwin

Cowboys vs 49ers Final Injury Report: Latest updates on Parsons, Bland, Samuel K.D. Drummond The news continues to be disappointing on the injury front for the Dallas Cowboys. Coming out of their bye week the hope was that they’d be able to see the return of two All-Pros, but as Friday came and went the verdict was solemn. Both DE Micah Parsons and CB DaRon Bland missed a third consecutive day of practice on Friday and have been ruled out of Sunday’s fight against the San Francisco 49ers. Those same 49ers are dealing with a number of injuries as well, but at least are still hopeful one of their dinged up stars could play. With WR Brandon Aiyuk moved to IR, Jauan Jennings was ruled out on Friday as well. However Deebo Samuel was given a questionable tag, giving him a shot at playing after spending part of the week in the hospital with pneumonia. TE George Kittle carries the same designation. Here’s a look at the full report for both clubs ahead of Week 8. Dallas Cowboys K Brandon Aubrey, NIR-Other | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate LB Micah Parsons, Ankle | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate CB DaRon Bland, Foot | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate CB Caelen Carson, Shoulder | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Participant WR Ryan Flournoy, Ankle | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday: Limited Participant | Friday: Full Linebacker Eric Kendricks, Shoulder | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Limited Linebacker Nick Vigil, Foot | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday: Limited | Thursday, Friday: DNP LB Marist Liufau, Shoulder | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Participant DT Jordan Phillips, Wrist | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Full Participant TE John Stephens, Knee | OUT Wednesday: Limited | Thursday, Friday: DNP San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel, Wrist/Illness | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday: Did Not Participate | Thursday, Friday: Limited WR Jauan Jennings, Hip | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate K Jake Moody, Ankle | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate DT Kevin Givens, Groin | OUT Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Did Not Participate TE George Kittle, Foot | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday: Did Not Participate | Thursday, Friday: Limited Safety George Odum, Knee | QUESTIONABLE Wednesday: Did Not Participate | Thursday, Friday: Limited WR Chris Conley, Ankle | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full DE Nick Bosa, Elbow | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full RB Jordan Mason, Shoulder | NO DESIGNATION Wednesday, Thursday: Limited | Friday: Full Wedensday Vet Day: LT Trent Williams Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys desperately need return of explosive ingredient to fix their offense reidhanson The Cowboys have no shortage of problems in 2024. From their 24th ranked offense to their 30th ranked defense, their troubles on the offensive line to the catastrophe that is their DL. From their lame duck coaching staff to their problematically talkative owner, they have problems on all corners of this hexagon of doom. The running game in particular has been an issue in Dallas. Not only has the offensive line struggled to execute blocks and lead runners to the second level, but the runners themselves have been unable gain access to the open field in 2024. While the Cowboys’ passing game is trying it’s damnedest to carry the offense and create big plays, the running game isn’t remotely carrying its weight. In fact, based on the standardized measurement of 15+ yards, the running game has yet to chart a single explosive play in 2024. Even when adjusting for play type, which charts an explosive pass as anything 20 yards or greater and an explosive run as anything 10 yards or greater, things don’t look much better. Outside of scrambles and runs with CeeDee Lamb, the only Dallas rushers with explosive plays between 10-15 yards this season are Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle. Vaughn hasn’t been active since September so unless someone is added at the trade deadline, the onus falls completely on Dowdle. Based on the names floating around the rumor mill, it’s doubtful anyone available at the trade deadline is going to be the answer. This issue will likely require an internal solution, and it will need to be a total team effort. The Cowboys have the pieces on the offensive line to be a good run blocking squad. Even with two-thirds being rookies, the talent and pedigree are there to have more success than what’s currently happening in Dallas. Motion at the snap is something that’s been discussed incessantly this season, but it’s for good reason. Motion at the snap typically works. It changes the angles of blocks, changes run fits for defenders, and spreads defenses horizontally. It won’t work all the time, but it should be no surprise many of the best rushing teams in the NFL use motion at the snap on a regular basis. Better success downfield in the passing game would also help the running game with explosive plays. If Dak Prescott can draw more defenders into coverage the Cowboys running backs could see lighter boxes and better opportunities for explosives. But the passing offense has been uncharacteristically inefficient, ranking just 23rd in EPA/ drop back. Without a new receiver on the field, it’s hard to see that changing much on its own. More spread formations may help achieve the same goal of spreading the defense without the need for downfield success. More WR-rich personnel groups or splitting the tight end group out wide may pull players out of the box. Dowdle is averaging 6.7 defenders in the box and Elliott 6.29. Neither number is particularly high but if certain alignments and formations can bring that number down further, the Cowboys coaching staff owes it them. The Cowboys have to find a way to solve their explosive play problem on offense and it will likely be a total team effort. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cover 1, Cover 3, Cover your eyes: Cowboys defensive flip hasn’t worked reidhanson Most will agree, the Cowboys’ biggest shake up of the 2024 offseason was their change at defensive coordinator. Gone was Dan Quinn. After coaching the Dallas defense for three successful seasons, Quinn earned a head coaching job in our nation’s capital. Replacing him at the helm was long time coordinator Mike Zimmer. Zimmer brought with him his infamously demanding defensive scheme, a nonsense attitude and an acceptance for timely split safety looks. While the Cowboys were still expected to lean on man coverage in 2024, they were also expected to show more two-high safety looks. Zimmer was known to disguise coverage frequently and split his safeties over the top from time to time. It was a departure from his predecessor who both preferred single high safety formations and didn’t put much value is disguises. 2024 has proven to be surprising but not quite in the way many imagined. Zimmer has indeed disguised coverages, rolling safeties and linebackers at the last second to catch passers off guard, but he hasn’t moved Dallas off the single-high safety reliance. https://x.com/fball_insights/status/1848828006363529723 Between Cover 1 and Cover 3, the Cowboys play a combined 61% of their snaps in single high. While that may be down from the seasons prior, it still represents their two most popular coverages seven weeks into 2024. It’s understandable since the Cowboys have two fairly different safeties starting on their defense. Malik Hooker, traditionally their free safety, has been one of the better centerfielders in the NFL. In his last two seasons under Quinn, he ranked inside the top 15 of the 88+ safeties Pro Football Focus graded. Donovan Wilson, their primary box safety, didn’t grade as well by PFF but since the majority of his splash plays come near the line of scrimmage with him running downfield, his positioning seemed appropriate as well. Under Zimmer that has changed somewhat. Hooker’s snap percentage at deep safety has dropped from 84 percent under Quinn to 66 percent under Zimmer. Wilson’s snap percentage at deep safety has jumped from 38 percent under Quinn to 57 percent under Zimmer. While the slight increase in split safety looks accounts for some of that, the two players can be seen routinely playing each other’s roles throughout a game. Hooker can often be seen sneaking up into a box role while Wilson positions himself back as the single high. What would have been a unicorn moment in 2023 now looks commonplace on the Cowboys defense in 2024 and it’s hard to understand why. Deception is one thing, but these are typically pre-snap alignments, so the intention is stated at the start. This is just a case of role swapping and based on early returns it isn’t working out great. Based on PFF grades Wilson is having the lowest graded season of his career in 2024. He’s flashed a nice play here and there, but most will agree it’s been a pretty poor season for the man who’s on the books for $7,370,575 this season. Hooker is having a season to forget too. The former first-round pick is also having the lowest graded season of his career and is having a hard time justifying his more modest $3,985,296 cap hit as well. It seems the two players were better when they were focused on their respective expertise. Maybe run fit discipline led to change or maybe it was matchups that has Zimmer playing mix and match with his two playmakers but whatever the reason, it doesn’t seem to be worth it. The Cowboys are still leaning heavily on single high safety looks under Zimmer but where the new defensive coordinator differs from his predecessor is which safety he uses where. That may not be a good thing. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys lose up-and-coming weapon to another ACL injury Todd Brock Just as the Cowboys were starting to look like they were getting healthy coming off the bye week, a promising emerging talent has suffered a brutal setback to his young career. Tight end John Stephens Jr. tore an ACL in Wednesday’s practice, according to a report from ESPN’s Todd Archer, who cited sources. The 25-year-old joined the club as an undrafted free agent last spring. A wide receiver at both TCU and Louisiana, the 6-foot-5-inch Stephens was converted to tight end during his rookie training camp with the Cowboys. While the team had high hopes for Stephens, his first pro campaign was lost to an ACL injury in the second game of the 2023 preseason. This latest injury is to the same knee; Stephens is expected to undergo surgery and be placed once again on season-ending IR. Stephens had not been active for a game yet in 2024, but the team had positive reviews for him and his development. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Jake Ferguson remains the starter at the position in Dallas. Behind him are Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford. Princeton Fant occupies a spot on the practice squad. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

If not now, when? Cowboys will look to reverse 49ers recent dominance Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys have lost their last three matchups with the San Francisco 49ers, and each outing hads been worse than the previous one. In the 2021 NFC wild-card game, the 49ers got ahead early and survived a late comeback. In the 2022 divisional round, San Francisco shut down the Cowboys offense in a 19-12 victory. In Week 5 last season, the 49ers destroyed Dallas on both sides of the ball in a 42-10 beatdown. The Cowboys again have to travel to San Francisco in Week 8, but this could be the year they pull off the upset. Dallas will be coming in off a bye week, and McCarthy is 12-5 off a bye week in his career as a head coach. Last year, Dallas beat the Los Angeles Rams 43-20 after their break. They won six of their seven games after the bye and came out looking like a completely new offense, with four games scoring 40 points and two others scoring 33. Injuries now decimate the 49ers, even worse than the Cowboys. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and his backup Elijah Mitchell are out. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and kicker Jake Moody will all miss the contest against the Cowboys. San Francisco has plenty of others who could also miss the Sunday night game. Wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel are both questionable and tight end George Kittle is too. Dallas has a chance to get three former All-Pro players back: cornerback DaRon Bland, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and defensive end Micah Parsons. Rookie corner Caelen Carson and left tackle Tyler Guyton could also return to help. For the Cowboys, if they can’t beat the 49ers now, then when? 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 open 21-day practice window for injured defensive lineman Todd Brock The Cowboys had hoped to use their bye week to get healthy, bringing several injured players back to action for the difficult 11-game gauntlet that will comprise the remainder of the 2024 season. On Wednesday, one veteran took a big step closer to a return to the field, though how much difference it will make is a matter of opinion. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 18 under somewhat confusing circumstances, has had his 21-day practice window opened by the club. The Cowboys now have three weeks to evaluate the 32-year-old and decide if they want to move him to the active roster or end his season. Phillips, originally a second-round draft pick by the Dolphins in 2015 and also a former Bill and Cardinal, was traded to Dallas in the middle of August after he spent the summer with the Giants. But the 330-pounder played only sparingly once the Cowboys’ season got underway. He logged 15 defensive snaps in Week 1 versus Cleveland and played just 19 more the following week against New Orleans. It was after that game that the Cowboys placed Phillips on IR. Team owner Jerry Jones said the lineman had been “favoring his wrist,” even though the Oklahoma product claimed at the time that he knew nothing about it and said his wrist was fine when asked. At the time, his PFF grade stood at 29.6, among the lowest in the league for a defensive lineman. Phillips had indeed undergone surgery the year prior to repair a dislocated wrist, but based on his own comments, many wondered if the Cowboys were really making the move in order to give Phillips a four-week window to perhaps improve his conditioning and better acclimate himself to Mike Zimmer’s defense. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] After six games, the Cowboys are giving up an average of 143.2 rushing yards per game, the sixth-worst mark of all defenses leaguewide. They have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns, a total surpassed only by Carolina. The Dallas defense has also been without Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Marshawn Kneeland, Eric Kendricks, and Caelen Carson at various points this season. Sam Williams and DaRon Bland have not played at all in the Cowboys’ six games. The Cowboys’ next five opponents all currently rank in the top half of the NFL in rushing yards per contest. Three of them- San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington- are in the top seven, so reinforcements along the defensive line will be most welcome. Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.