Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season. Presented by Sleep Number
Nov. 30 Updates
On Sunday, CeeDee Lamb had one of the greatest catches of the season and had other key moments in a dramatic win.
But four days later, it was a different story for the rookie.
This time, Lamb dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone that would've tied the game. He also didn't come up with a fourth-down catch in the second quarter that proved to be a pivotal play.
""No, at the end of the day I just didn't make the play," Lamb said. "That's pretty much all I got to say."
Lamb finished the day with five catches for 21 yards.
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Nov. 29 Updates
9:36 p.m. – Coming off a season-high 103 yards against Minnesota four days ago, Ezekiel Elliott and the running game never got rolling against Washington.
Elliott had just 10 carries Thursday, finishing the game with 32 yards. He also lost his fifth fumble of the season, a career-high, leading to a Washington field goal in the Cowboys' 47-16 loss.
"Just trying to fight for extra yards. I think maybe a foot kicked it out before I got down," he said.
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3:57 p.m. – Both Cowboys starting offensive tackles got injured on the offense's opening drive against Washington.
Zack Martin, making his second straight start at right tackle, limped off the field at the end of Dallas' field goal drive and headed for the locker room with assistance from the athletic training staff. He has been ruled out of the game with a calf injury.
Cam Erving suffered a knee injury during an 11-yard scramble by quarterback Andy Dalton earlier in the possession. He is questionable to return to the game.
Brandon Knight and Terence Steele are filling in at left and right tackle, respectively.
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2:10 p.m. – Anthony Brown won't be available for Thanksgiving.
There had been hope that the veteran corner, who injured his ribs Sunday in Minnesota, might be able to fight his way through the pain and play against Washington. That won't be the case.
Brown is the headliner among the Cowboys' seven inactives, along with Ben DiNucci, Malik Turner, Reggie Robinson, Bradlee Anae, Greg Senat and Ron'Dell Carter.
The rest of those aren't surprising. It's the same combination of unproven rookies and veteran depth signings that we've seen throughout the season. It is curious that Reggie Robinson, this year's fourth-round draft pick, is not being asked to address the depth concerns in the secondary – but the rookie has yet to be active this season, so it's hardly surprising.
Instead, it'll be two practice squad additions who help fill Brown's absence. Rashard Robinson and Deante Burton were called up from the practice squad on Wednesday, and they'll round out the depth chart behind Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis.
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2:10 p.m. -- Captains today vs. Washington:
TE Dalton Schultz (offense)
S Donovan Wilson (defense)
LB Joe Thomas (special teams)
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Nov. 25 Updates
3:29 p.m. — CB Anthony Brown (ribs) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (back) are officially questionable for Thursday's game against Washington.
Both players had limited participation in Wednesday's practice. Monday, Mike McCarthy sounded confident Zuerlein would be ready. Brown's practice work is encouraging for Thursday, too.
The Cowboys did elevate cornerbacks Rashard Robinson and Deante Burton from the practice squad for depth Thursday in case Brown is limited or doesn't play.
Click here for the full injury report for the Cowboys and Washington.
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2:45 p.m. – The Cowboys made some roster moves ahead of Thursday's game against Washington, signing center Adam Redmond from the practice squad and elevating cornerbacks Deante Burton and Rashard Robinson from the practice squad.
Robinson also was elevated from the practice squad last Saturday and played a lot in the second half against Minnesota after starter Anthony Brown suffered a ribs injury.
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Nov. 24 Updates
2:56 p.m. - The second-year linebacker has been suspended by the NFL for two games for violating the league's policy on performing-enhancing substances.
Gifford, who will miss two game checks during the suspension, will be eligible to return to the Cowboys' active roster on Friday Dec. 4, following the team's Week 13 game at Baltimore.
Gifford has played in five games this year and has been inactive for the other five, including last week's game in Minnesota.
He ranks fourth on the team in special teams tackles with three.
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Nov. 23 Updates
1:53 p.m. – Zack Martin can play any offensive line position and play at a high level. Obviously, that was the first part of the Cowboys' decision to move the All-Pro right guard out to right tackle in place of rookie Terence Steele against the Vikings.
The other half of that decision was based on Connor McGovern's development.
The 2019 third-round pick was sidelined by a pectoral injury last season, but he has shown improvement this year in practice and games, instilling confidence that he could play well at Martin's usual right guard spot.
"He's really a rookie when you look at what he was able to get in last year," Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "He pretty much was redshirted and didn't get much if any practice. And, so, he's been getting better each week, and we really felt like it was time to move Zack out there and that was our best combination of players. Hopefully, we can get in a groove now and get everybody rolling in the same direction."
The offensive line paved the way for a season-high 180 yards and allowed only one sack on quarterback Andy Dalton in a 31-28 win.
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12:55 p.m. – Could Sunday's 31-28 win over Minnesota be the springboard game the Cowboys have been looking for?
Time will tell with six games left. But despite a rash of injuries this season, chief operating officer Stephen Jones has seen improvement from the team in practice as the year has moved along. It showed up with a victory Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Up next is a Thanksgiving rematch with a Washington team that's also 3-7, also coming off a win and also trying to stay in the NFC East race. The Cowboys lost to Washington 25-3 on Oct. 25 but has been improving since, particularly on defense.
"I think this team feels that it's getting better each week," Jones told 105.3 The Fan. "They're playing with more and more confidence. This is starting to be a confident football team. It's great to have Andy Dalton back. I know Garrett Gilbert did a great job the week before (against Pittsburgh) really kind of getting the momentum going. But I just think this team is going to have plenty to play for and a lot of energy.
"This is going to be a big, big game on Thanksgiving and I can't imagine that we're not going to be ready to go."
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Nov. 22 Updates
9:16 p.m. – It feels telling that on a day of big performances, there was one name the Cowboys kept going back to – Donovan Wilson.
How could they not? In easily the best game of his career to date, the young safety racked up nine tackles, half a sack and two forced fumbles.
"He's a stud," said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. "I just love the way he plays."
Wilson announced his presence early, as his first takeaway came strip came on just the Vikings' fifth play of the game when he stripped Kirk Cousins and set the Cowboys up on the Minnesota 30-yard line with a chance to take an early lead.
An hour later, he smacked Dalvin Cook on a reception across the middle and forced the second fumble. The hit not only snuffed out a Minnesota scoring opportunity, but it led to a Dallas field goal before halftime.
"I feel like it's just practice habits," Wilson said. "Every day at practice I'm punching, swinging, trying to get whatever ball I can out. I think that just carried over to the game."
This is a continuation of a theme for Wilson, the second-year draft pick out of Texas A&M. Primarily a special teamer at the start of the season, Wilson has worked his way into the safety rotation over the course of the year.
If Sunday was a sign of things to come, he just might lock that job down for himself from here on out.
"I'm so proud of him," McCarthy said. "Starting on special teams when he got here, now with this opportunity that he's earned. He brings it. There's not a game where he's not come up for us."
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9:13 p.m. – Dalton Schultz isn't sure he's ever had a game-winning touchdown catch.
He picked a good time for this one.
The third-year tight end's 2-yard score gave the Cowboys the lead for good with 1:37 remaining Sunday against Minnesota. With running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb all working to the right side of the field, Schultz found himself wide open on the left side and quarterback Andy Dalton delivered it to him.
"We've been carrying that play for probably four or five weeks," Schultz said. "(Offensive coordinator) Kellen (Moore) was dialing them all up. He was pulling out all the stops on those last few plays. As soon as he called it, I was like 'alright, this should be good.'"
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9:10 p.m. – Cornerback Anthony Brown aggravated a rib injury from earlier this season in the second half of Sunday's win over the Vikings, the Cowboys announced.
Brown started against Minnesota and had three tackles but was on the sideline for the defense's final possession. Rashard Robinson, elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, helped fill in at cornerback.
Brown spent three games on Reserve/Injured with a rib injury earlier in the season.
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What an eventful first half it has been for CeeDee Lamb. Not only did his first catch of the game and extra effort to get more yards set up a touchdown, but the rookie then reeled in one of the greatest catches in recent years with an acrobatic touchdown grab in the second quarter.
If that's not enough, Lamb also set a Cowboys record that has stood for over 50 years.
With three catches for 28 yards in the first half, Lamb now has 47 for the season, breaking Bob Hayes' franchise record for most catches in a rookie season. "Bullet" Bob had 45 receptions in 1965.
Lamb also had 12 rushing yards and 28 punt return yards in the first half.
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2:09 p.m. – It's a full seven inactives for the Cowboys as they resume their season in Minnesota.
The Cowboys announced their inactives 90 minutes prior to kickoff against the Vikings, and – as usual – it's mainly a list of younger players.
This week's list features Ben DiNucci, Malik Turner, Reggie Robinson, Bradlee Anae, Justin Match, Greg Senat and Ron'Dell Carter.
Most of those names aren't surprising, as they are guys on the bottom of their respective depth charts. This is March's first week on the inactive list, as the Cowboys opted to keep Joe Thomas, Luke Gifford and Francis Bernard active ahead of him.
This will be the third time in four weeks that Anae is inactive. The rookie defensive end has played just six defensive snaps this season.
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2:08 p.m. -- Cowboys captains Sunday vs. the Vikings:
C Joe Looney (offense)
LB Sean Lee (defense)
RB/KR Tony Pollard (special teams)
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9:22 a.m. - Aside from moving out to the position in the middle of a game twice this season, Zack Martin has never officially started at offensive tackle during his career.
But that likely will change Sunday in Minnesota as Martin is reportedly expected to start at right tackle when the Cowboys play the Vikings.
The six-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler has been one of the NFL's best guards since he entered the league in 2014 out of Notre Dame, where he was a standout tackle. For years, the Cowboys have always considered the possibility of using Martin at tackle, but not until this year did it happen. Martin moved out to tackle in Week 3 against Seattle for the second half and also moved to tackle for one play in the last game against Pittsburgh because of a minor injury.
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9:15 a.m. - The Cowboys have seemed committed to playing young offensive linemen, they seem ready to shuffle the deck with their youngsters this Sunday.
Connor McGovern is expected to start at right guard, according to multiple national reports. McGovern, a third-round pick out of Penn State in 2018, has started just one game in his career - just three weeks ago in Washington. He filled in for Zack Martin, who was out with a concussion.
However this time, it appears McGovern is the first option, as Martin will slide to right tackle to replace Terence Steele, a rookie who has started all nine games this year.
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Nov. 21 Updates
1:34 p.m. – The Cowboys on Saturday placed rookie center Tyler Biadasz on Reserve/Injured and activated Brandon Knight from Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return.
Biadasz, a four-game starter at center, injured his hamstring in pre-game warmups Nov. 8 and was unable to play against the Steelers. Joe Looney stepped in against Pittsburgh.
Biadasz must stay on IR for a minimum of three weeks, according to league rules.
Knight, who spent the last three games on IR after a knee scope, has started three games at left tackle for an injured Tyron Smith (IR; neck) this season. Knight provides depth at tackle or guard.
The Cowboys also elevated center Adam Redmond and cornerback Rashard Robinson from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game at Minnesota.
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Nov. 20 Updates
4:05 p.m. – Don't underestimate the impact of the league's best guard on a quarterback's play.
Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones was asked Friday whether he expects Andy Dalton to perform better in his third start of the season, and he was sure to mention a guy who will be playing in front of the veteran quarterback on Sunday.
"I think any time you get Zack Martin back in the lineup to help them out and get some continuity there, which I think we're starting to see a little bit of that against the Steelers," Jones said. "Then, I think he'll thrive in a situation like that."
It gets lost in the shuffle of a wild season, but Dalton hasn't had much opportunity to play with his best lineman. Martin left the Oct. 19 loss to Arizona with a concussion after just seven snaps, and he missed the Oct. 25 loss to Washington, in which Dalton suffered a concussion of his own.
Hopefully, having Martin back in the huddle will help Dalton raise his own level of play.
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2:48 p.m. – Defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory (illness) are officially listed as questionable to play against the Vikings, but both appear to be progressing toward playing Sunday.
Friday morning, head coach Mike McCarthy said Gregory was back at The Star on Friday after not practicing the last two days. Lawrence, who didn't practice Thursday, isn't back with the team yet but McCarthy said "everything is pointing to D-Law playing as I sit here today."
The Cowboys are set to have one more practice Saturday before the Minnesota trip. Friday is normally a 'mock game' walkthrough day. Gregory was a limited participant, though that's an estimation given the walkthrough format.
Rookie center Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) has been ruled out of Sunday's game. Joe Looney filled in against the Steelers in Week 9.
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Nov. 19 Updates
4:00 p.m. – Andy Dalton chose his words carefully.
Asked if he was surprised that Washington linebacker Jon Bostic wasn't suspended for the late hit that gave him a concussion, Dalton paused for several seconds before answering.
"You know, with that whole thing, just looking at some of the fines and different things that other people got, I was a little surprised by the number," he said. "But it is what it is."
Dalton spent a week in concussion protocol, only to contract COVID-19. Bostic was fined just $12,000 for the hit.
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4 p.m. -- DeMarcus Lawrence (illness) was added to the Cowboys' injury report after not practicing Thursday.
Defensive end Randy Gregory (illness) did not practice for the second straight day, but guard Zack Martin (calf) had full participation after being limited Wednesday.
Click here for the full injury report for the Cowboys and Vikings.
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3:45 p.m. – Asked about the rookie wall, Neville Gallimore could only laugh.
"I feel like I hit mine already," he said.
Gallimore is seeing his rookie season play out a bit differently than most. Rather than fading after a strong start, the first-year defensive tackle seems to be finding his feet as the season goes along.
"From a mental standpoint, obviously, getting a couple games under my belt, my confidence is obviously going up," he said. "Just being able to build that trust and have the trust in the coaches and the guys around me to be more effective, and that's definitely allowing me to play a lot faster."
Gallimore played just 20 snaps during the first month of the season, but he's definitely making the most of this new opportunity. Against Pittsburgh, he played a career-high 36 snaps and finished with three tackles, a tackle for loss and a pressure.
If he really has gotten the "rookie wall," out of the way, it could mean exciting things for the second half of the season.
"One thing, just seeing how the game is supposed to be played and seeing how my approach and my mentality is going into the game and feeding off that," Gallimore said. "I feel like that helped me. So when I got my opportunity I knew I had to come in with the right mindset and come in ready to work and not just come in and just do my job."
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11:55 a.m. – Chidobe Awuzie says he's "full go" this week as he points toward his first game action since injuring his hamstring in Week 2 against Atlanta.
With rookie starter Trevon Diggs on Reserve/Injured due to a foot injury, Awuzie is looking to help out the cornerback position.
"That's the expectation," said Awuzie, who was activated from Reserve/Injured last week. "Trevon was playing really good. AB (Anthony Brown) is playing really good. Really, our defense has played really good the past three weeks. I feel like we're starting to build an identity. I want to go in there and just keep helping the team any way that I can."
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Nov. 18 Updates
3:40 p.m. – Defensive end Randy Gregory (illness) and rookie center Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.
Guard Zack Martin (calf) had limited participation. Quarterback Andy Dalton had full participation in his return from a concussion and the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Running back Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) and linebacker Joe Thomas (wrist) also had a full practice.
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11:02 a.m. - The Cowboys are getting some help on the offensive line this week, at least in practice. Second-year tackle Brandon Knight, who suffered an sprained MCL in his knee last month, is practicing this week with the Cowboys.
What that means for Sunday's game in Minnesota remains to be seen. Knight has started four games at left tackle this year, replacing both Tyron Smith and Cam Erving, who has since returned to action.
The Cowboys could keep Erving on the left side for a third straight game. Rookie Terence Steele has started all nine games at right tackle this season, although he was replaced once for Knight against Cleveland.
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Nov. 17 Updates
11:44 a.m. - When asked to name a few players that have caught his eye lately, Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones was first to point out the play of defensive end Dorance Armstrong, who has been a rotational pass-rusher this season.
"I like the way Armstrong (is playing)," Jones said on 105.3 "The Fan" in DFW. "I think Armstrong has really shown the kind of thing you would hope to stage in his career. I like what he's done."
Jones also mentioned Armstrong's D-line teammates Aldon Smith and DeMarcus Lawrence as players that have stood out lately, making the entire defensive end position one that seems to be on the rise.
Armstrong, a fourth-round pick out of Kansas in 2018, does not have a sack this season and has just 2.5 sacks in his career.
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Nov. 16 Updates
3:21 p.m. – Despite a 2-7 start, the Cowboys find themselves in the thick of, let's say, a unique NFC East race with seven games to play.
Through 10 weeks of the season, the NFC East is the only division with all four teams under .500. Injuries to key players have been a major factor for Dallas. But if there's a silver lining, it's that young players – defensive linemen Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore and tight end Dalton Schultz, among others – have stepped up and played well.
During the bye week, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said the team is "really being encouraged by how many of these younger players, let's say players that weren't necessarily getting the reps early for whatever the reason, injury or just where they were in the pecking order, they're getting more play time."
"And it's all over our roster, whether it be the offensive and defensive line, secondary, all over," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "And, so, this time does call for us to really emphasize our direction, our attention, our focus on getting those guys on the field and getting them prepared."
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Nov. 11 Updates
4:30 p.m. – The Cowboys placed defensive end Tyrone Crawford on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
The list is for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or come in contact with someone who has. The NFL does not specify which.
Crawford has played in all nine games this season as part of the defensive line rotation.
Quarterback Andy Dalton is also currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, having missed last Sunday's game against the Steelers.
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4:30 p.m. –The Cowboys claimed rookie defensive end Ron'Dell Carter off waivers from the Colts.
Carter signed with the Cowboys as a rookie free agent out of James Madison after the draft and began the season on the practice squad before signing to the Colts' active roster.
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Nov. 10 Updates
9:59 a.m. — The Cowboys are working virtually this week and will not practice Wednesday as a precaution after the Steelers announced a positive COVID-19 test for one of their players Monday.
The Cowboys are on their bye week and plan to work remotely for the time being, following the league's added protocols for a situation like this.
"We now have developed a way that when the other team you've played has a positive test, then we know how to circle around that and try to limit any exposure, any more exposure than you already have. That's what's going on," Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan. "It's good protocol. We're fortunate this weekend that we're not getting ready to play a team this weekend. So, yeah, we'll go to a stepped-up version of carefulness, which means we didn't have contact with the players there yesterday and probably won't have it for two or three days. I'm not for sure what the protocol is and what judgment we've got, considering this is a bye week, to be even more careful."
Jones said he is not aware of any positive tests coming out of Sunday's game beyond the one announced by the Steelers on Monday.
Pittsburgh placed tight end Vance McDonald on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Monday and added four more players to this list Tuesday: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins, running back Jaylen Samuels and linebacker Vince Williams. The four additional Steelers players are considered close, high-risk contacts, according to NFL Media, and will be tested daily and isolated for five days as a precaution.
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Nov. 9 Updates
12:47 p.m. -- Rico Dowdle has played only three offensive snaps all season, and he hadn't returned a kickoff until the fourth quarter against the Steelers.
But the undrafted rookie running back stepped up with a 64-yard kickoff return that flipped field position with the Cowboys trying to hang onto a 19-15 lead at the time.
"He's a great young player that earned his opportunity today. You love that," head coach Mike McCarthy said after Sunday's 24-19 loss. "...Just the fact that he was ready, you love it when you see a young guy get an opportunity and make a play like that."
Dowdle was signed as a rookie out of South Carolina in May.
Nov. 8 Updates
9:57 p.m. – Two Cowboys rookies suffered injuries Sunday against the Steelers, including one injury just before kickoff.
Starting cornerback Trevon Diggs hurt his foot in the fourth quarter and got re-taped at one point but did not return. Saivion Smith, elevated from the practice squad Saturday, replaced Diggs at right cornerback on what turned out to be the Steelers' winning touchdown drive.
Starting center Tyler Biadasz injured his hamstring in pre-game warmups and was unable to play. Veteran Joe Looney stepped into the starting lineup in his second game back from the Reserve/Injured list.
The Cowboys have their bye this coming week.
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2:07 p.m. – Ezekiel Elliott is officially a go for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
The Cowboys released their gametime inactives on Sunday afternoon, and Elliott was not among them. The Pro Bowl running back has been limited by a hamstring injury all week, but he apparently feels good enough to factor into this week's action.
Instead, it's a list of mainly rookies and first-year players that will be sitting this week. After starting last week in Philadelphia, Ben DiNucci is inactive, as Garrett Gilbert and Cooper Rush will both suit up – with Gilbert expected to start at quarterback.
Malik Turner, Reggie Robinson, Sewo Olonilua and Bradlee Anae are also inactive. One surprising veteran name on the list is Joe Thomas, who is swapping places with Luke Gifford. With Sean Lee expected to play more snaps this week, it makes sense to have an inactive linebacker – though this is the first time this season Thomas has sat out.
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2:07 p.m. -- Cowboys captains for Sunday's game against the Steelers:
WR Cedrick Wilson (offense)
DT Antwaun Woods (defense)
CB C.J. Goodwin (special teams)
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Nov. 7 Updates
3:12 p.m. – The Cowboys have yet to officially name their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Steelers. And at this point, they probably won't until someone trots out for the opening series.
But it's starting to sound like Garrett Gilbert will be the first quarterback out on Sunday for the Cowboys, making his NFL starting debut.
According to multiple reports, Gilbert got the majority of the reps this week in practice and will get the nod over Cooper Rush, who has also not started a game before, although he was Dak Prescott's backup for three seasons from 2017-19.
Gilbert has only thrown six career passes since entering the NFL in 2014. His last start in any football game occurred in the now-defunct AAF, where he led the league with 2,152 passing yards in eight games for the Orlando Apollos.
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2:49 p.m. – The Cowboys are still hopeful that star running back Ezekiel Elliott can play Sunday against Pittsburgh.
But they are adding some insurance to the position by evaluating rookie running back Sewo Olonilua from the practice squad on Saturday.
The Cowboys had to make the move 24 hours before kickoff to utilize one of the NFL's new rules this year in calling up at least two players from the practice squad.
Olonilua, an undrafted rookie from TCU, played both fullback and tailback and could provide some help in short-yardage situations if Zeke doesn't play.
Elliott was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for the game. However, it has been expected all week that Elliott will at least attempt to play.
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12:26 p.m. – The Cowboys made five roster moves Saturday in advance of Sunday's home game against the Steelers:
- Punter Chris Jones (core muscle surgery) has been placed on Reserve/Injured, and punter Hunter Niswander has been signed from the practice squad.
- With quarterback Andy Dalton on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, Cooper Rush has been elevated from the practice squad for Week 8, as expected. Rush has been competing with Garrett Gilbert in practice for the starting job this week and will likely be the No. 2 quarterback Sunday (ahead of rookie Ben DiNucci) if he doesn't start.
- Running back Sewo Olonilua also has been elevated from the practice squad, providing depth at the position with Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) listed as questionable for Sunday. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Elliott will warm up pre-game to make sure he's "full go" against the Steelers.
- Also, cornerback Saivion Smith has been activated from the practice squad as a designated COVID-19 replacement for Dalton on the roster this week.
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Nov. 6 Updates
4:19 p.m. – Defensive end Aldon Smith (knee) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) are officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
Both players have had limited participation in practice this week, though Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones on 105.3 The Fan expressed confidence that both will ultimately be able to play Sunday. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he anticipates Elliott will go through a pre-game warmup Sunday "to make sure he's a full go."
Punter Chris Jones (abdomen) has been ruled out of Sunday's game, and linebacker Joe Thomas (wrist) was added to Friday's injury report. He's listed as questionable to play Sunday.
Click here for the full injury report for Cowboys-Steelers.
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1:04 p.m. - Chido Awuzie hasn't played since Week 2 of the regular season because of a hamstring injury. While it appeared he would return to action last week, Awuzie still hasn't been taken off of injured reserve and it appears he could stay there this weekend as well.
On Friday, head coach Mike McCarthy was unsure whether or not Awuzie would play Sunday against the Steelers.
The fourth-year veteran corner played the first two games, recording the only interception for the defense until Trevon Diggs picked off two passes last week.
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11:34 a.m. - Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones admitted that his team fielded a couple of phone calls before Tuesday's trade deadline, even entertaining deals that would send players to other teams and/or acquire players as well.
Obviously, the Cowboys didn't make a deal this week, but did trade for DT Eli Ankou, sending a seventh-round pick in 2022 to Houston.
But as of this week, Jones said the trade talks were mainly just phone calls.
"We did," Jones said to 105.3 The Fan when asked if there were any trade offers. "As it would turn out it just didn't work. We actually got into the weeds on two or three of them, and worked at it a little bit but saw that it wasn't going to work. They were more in the nature of the future, not so much as it would relate to what we're doing in the next eight games here as we look beyond that."
Jones said he wouldn't comment further on the players or teams involved.
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Nov. 5 Updates
3:12 p.m. – For the second straight day, running back Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) and defensive end Aldon Smith (knee) had limited participation in practice.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said the team planned to manage both players' practice reps Thursday but didn't think either issue was serious. That's a good sign for both players leading up to Sunday's home game against the Steelers.
Click here for the full injury report for Cowboys-Steelers.
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Nov. 4 Updates
3:22 p.m. – Two Cowboys starters, defensive end Aldon Smith (knee) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) were limited in Wednesday's practice, though it might simply be a case of managing both players' workloads leading up to Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Elliott and Smith started and finished last Sunday's game at Philadelphia.
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Nov. 3 Updates
4:03 p.m. – As expected, the NFL trade deadline passed without a move by the Cowboys on Tuesday.
The club did make some changes in the past week, though. They traded an undisclosed draft pick (reportedly a seventh-round pick in 2022) to the Texans for defensive tackle Eli Ankou. Last week defensive end Everson Griffen was traded to the Lions for reportedly a 2021 conditional sixth-round pick.
Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones didn't expect the club to be active before Tuesday's deadline. One reason is the uncertainty of the salary cap level next year due to expected league revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Nov. 2 Updates
2:41 p.m. – As Stephen Jones always says, player acquisition is 365 days a year. With one day left until the trade deadline, it wouldn't make sense to rule anything out.
But the Cowboys' chief operating officer indicated Monday on 105.3 The Fan that at this point, the team doesn't expect to be super aggressive before Tuesday's 3 p.m. (Central) deadline.
"I think we're basically in a mode that if something came to us that made a lot of sense, then we'd certainly look at it. I don't know that we're aggressively out here right now either trying to get somebody or move somebody," Jones said. "What we want to do right now is play some of these young guys that we have, give them the reps that they need, see what we have as we move through the season here. I only think we're only going to get better as a football team, and see some of these young guys step up and play is important."
The Cowboys (2-6) did finalize a trade with the Texans for veteran defensive tackle Eli Ankou on Monday.
Asked about any other needs the Cowboys might be willing to target, Jones pointed out that salary cap space has to be a factor in any decision.
The league's cap level could flatten or drop next year due to revenue loss from the COVID-19 pandemic, so teams have to keep that uncertain figure in mind when making financial decisions.
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Nov. 1 Updates
11:50 p.m. – After missing training camp and the first seven games while working back from core muscle surgery, Sean Lee made his season debut as part of the linebacker rotation.
"It was just nice being back, being at practice, being around the guys and being able to travel," said Lee, who posted one tackle against the Eagles. "…I'm happy to be here and help any way I can."
The defense posted a season-high four takeaways in the 23-9 loss.
"I think defensively we just continue to play the right way. To run, to hit to hustle, to make plays," he said. "I thought we started to do that tonight. The next step is to continue to build on that and continue to grow as a group. The effort was good tonight and that's what we need week in and week out."
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11:50 p.m. – In his third game back from collarbone surgery, Leighton Vander Esch's first career full sack forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Dorance Armstrong in the second quarter.
"Honestly I was hyped that we were all making plays out there," Vander Esch said. "But yeah, it feels good to make those plays and to get the ball back for your offense. But it was defensive effort. It wasn't just me going in and getting in there and getting a strip sack. It was the defense taking it one play at a time, focusing on doing their jobs and that's what created that opportunity."
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6:07 p.m. – Sean Lee looks set to make his debut Sunday night in Philadelphia.
The Cowboys released their inactives for Week 8 prior to kicking off against the Eagles, and they listed just four players. Andy Dalton, who was officially ruled out on Saturday, was one of them. Wide receiver Malik Turner, defensive back Reggie Robinson and linebacker Luke Gifford joined him on the inactive list.
Those four names aren't all that surprising. What's noteworthy for the Cowboys is that neither Lee nor Joe Looney was listed among them. The two veterans were activated from injured reserve on Saturday afternoon.
The hope is that Lee can bring some veteran leadership to a defense that has sorely needed it at times this season, while Looney should be able to help Zack Martin stabilize an offensive line that has been ravaged by injuries in 2020.
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6 p.m. – Cowboys captains for Sunday's game against the Eagles:
RB Tony Pollard (offense)
LB Leighton Vander Esch (defense)
K Greg Zuerlein (special teams)
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Oct. 31 Updates
4:33 p.m. – While signs were pointing all week of Chido Awuzie making his return to action this week, the cornerback remains on IR with a hamstring injury and won't play Sunday vs. Philadelphia.
Awuzie, the only player on the team with an interception this season, hasn't played since Week 2 when he suffered the injury late in the Falcons game.
The Cowboys have struggled in not only taking the ball away, but giving up the deep ball. Rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs is expected to start again, along with Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.
The Cowboys cut veteran Daryl Worley this week, seemingly to make room for Awuzie. Instead, the team elevated Savion Smith from the practice squad.
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4:18 p.m. – Veteran linebacker Sean Lee is expected to make his debut for his 11th pro season. The Cowboys activated him from injured reserve on Saturday, putting him on the roster for the first time since undergoing a sports hernia surgery in September.
Lee, who has battled injuries his entire career, is coming off his only 16-game season of his career in 2019.
The Cowboys will likely use Lee in a rotation at linebacker with starters Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. Veteran Joe Thomas will probably get a few snaps on defense as well.
Lee has 16 career games of at least 15 tackles. His last came at the end of last year when he racked up 16 at Philadelphia.
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Oct. 30 Updates
3:42 p.m. – It's rare to hear a member of the front office speak in absolutes, so it was noteworthy that Stephen Jones did so on Friday.
The Cowboys' chief operating officer was asked during his weekly interview on 105.3 FM The Fan about the idea that the Cowboys could consider trading Michael Gallup before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Jones was emphatic with his answer.
"No. Michael is on our team, see him having a bright future here in Dallas," he said. "No interest in trading Michael."
Given his obvious talent and his affordable rookie contract, Gallup has been at the center of a lot of trade speculation this season. After Jones' comments Friday, it feels safe to say the speculation can stop.
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2:46 p.m. – Andy Dalton is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's road game against the Eagles.
Dalton has been in concussion protocol this week and currently isn't scheduled to practice Saturday, head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday morning.
With Dalton doubtful for Sunday, that means rookie Ben DiNucci appears likely to make his first career start.
One addition to Friday's injury report: punter Chris Jones with an abdomen injury. But Jones doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday, so he should be ready to play.
Click here for the full injury report for Cowboys-Eagles.
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