The Cowboys may have gotten a big Monday night win over the Eagles, but it came with a price.
George Pickens and Caleb Downs are both dealing with injuries as Dallas turns the page to Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Pickens is listed with a shoulder and hamstring issue and was limited in Wednesday’s practice, while Downs is also limited because of an ankle injury.
Pickens was heavily involved in the 38-21 win over Philadelphia. He handled a large workload in the primetime matchup, finishing with four catches for 57 yards and hauling in a 21-yard touchdown from Dak Prescott. The performance helped push Dallas to 3-4 after the Cowboys rolled past their slumping rival.
Downs also made his presence felt against the Eagles, recording five tackles. The rookie came into the league with plenty of attention after being selected high in the first round out of Ohio State, but his status now hangs in the balance heading into the matchup with Arizona.
While the injury report is front and center, Dallas is also navigating trade chatter. Jerry Jones has pushed back on the rumors, even as the Cowboys continue to generate speculation around possible moves.
One name mentioned is Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Dallas had checked on Queen’s availability before the NFL Trade Deadline. Queen is in the final year of his current contract.
The Cowboys, though, are still waiting to see whether they’ll have Pickens and Downs available against the Cardinals.
In Other News...
Cardinals Face A Week 8 Backfield Question Amid Mounting Absences
Jeremiyah Love was back on the field in a limited capacity this week after missing the past two weeks with an ankle injury, giving Arizona at least a chance to sort through its backfield before the Week 8 meeting with Dallas. The Cardinals are still juggling a lengthy injury report, with nine of the 15 players listed not taking part in practice, and the team continues to manage an illness that swept through the group last week.
Head coach Mike LaFleur has been working through how Love fits alongside backup Bam Knight while the offense tries to steady itself up front. Arizonas offensive line has been a concern, and with the Cowboys coming up, the Cardinals still have plenty to clean up before they know exactly what kind of shape their backfield will be in. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Roster Moves Are Starting To Look Bigger Than Expected
A year of roster tinkering is starting to look a lot more meaningful for the Cowboys than it did when the moves were made. Between trades, free-agent additions and contract decisions, Dallas has quietly built out a deeper group of contributors, and several of those names are now showing up in real game situations rather than just on paper. Quinnen Williams, Joey Porter Jr., Otito Ogbonnia and Brevyn Spann-Ford have all given the team more than depth, which matters on a roster that has been trying to turn scattered moves into something more durable.
The encouraging part for Dallas is that these additions are not just filling space, they are giving the coaching staff more options and a better sense of what the roster can become over time. As the Cowboys keep sorting through the impact of those moves, the bigger question is how much of this recent production reflects a short-term surge and how much is the foundation for a stronger run going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Troy Aikman Suddenly Feels Like A Real Option For Cowboys Fans
Jerry Jones has a habit of keeping Cowboys conversations moving in every direction at once, and the latest one involves a familiar face from the franchises past. With the teams owner revisiting how he wants the organization to operate after recent decisions, the idea of Troy Aikman being part of the picture has started to feel less like nostalgia and more like a real talking point around Dallas.
Aikmans name has been tied to the organization before, but this time the speculation is being fueled by his uncertain future in broadcasting. His current ESPN deal is nearing its end, and if he does step away from the booth, the open question becomes whether Dallas could tempt him into a management role. For Cowboys fans, that is the kind of possibility that can turn an ordinary offseason conversation into a much bigger one. [Read more 🡒]