Cowboys Injury Updates, WR3 Emergence, and a Call for Faster Starts: Inside Dallas’ Week 15 Storylines
As the Cowboys prepare for a pivotal Week 15 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings, there’s no shortage of storylines swirling in Frisco. From Trevon Diggs’ uncertain return, to Ryan Flournoy’s quiet rise, to the team’s ongoing struggle with slow starts - Dallas has a lot to sort through as the playoff picture tightens.
Let’s dive into the latest from The Star.
Trevon Diggs Still in Ramp-Up Mode
Trevon Diggs may be off the concussion protocol, but he’s not quite off the injury list.
The standout cornerback, who’s been sidelined since October 25, remains in a ramp-up period as he works his way back from knee soreness that has lingered for weeks. While Diggs was limited in practice on Wednesday, the Cowboys aren’t rushing him back - and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer made it clear that Diggs still has boxes to check before he suits up again.
“He’s still in the ramp period,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he does feel healthy, and I know he wants to play, but at the end of the day, we have to do what’s in the best interest of him and the team.”
That ramp-up period isn’t just physical - it’s mental. The Cowboys’ secondary has seen some reshuffling in Diggs’ absence, and reintegrating into a defense that’s evolved midseason takes more than just clean medicals.
Schottenheimer emphasized the need for “consistency through everything,” pointing out that Diggs is held to the same standard as any other player on the roster - whether it’s Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson, or Kenny Clark.
“Last week was a good first step,” Schottenheimer added. “Hopefully this week is an even better step. If it is, you’ll see him out there.”
Ryan Flournoy’s Road from Waived to WR3
Ryan Flournoy’s journey to carving out a meaningful role in Dallas has been anything but linear - but it’s the kind of story that resonates in NFL locker rooms.
Back in August, Flournoy thought he’d made the 53-man roster. He was ready to celebrate with his wife. Then came the call: he’d been waived.
“It was definitely a shock,” Flournoy said. “But honestly, I didn’t blink. I knew God had a plan.”
The Cowboys brought him back to the practice squad just days later. Two weeks after that, he was promoted to the active roster - and he hasn’t looked back.
Flournoy credits a brief but impactful conversation with Schottenheimer after being waived.
“He said he’d love to get me back, and that he’d be devastated if I ended up somewhere else,” Flournoy recalled. “Everything he said came true. He’s a man of his word.”
Now, Flournoy is making a real push for the WR3 role. His work ethic is what’s kept him rising - no shortcuts, no handouts.
“I’m a grinder,” he said. “I always want to be on time, do the right thing. Even when stuff doesn’t go my way, I just keep my head down and keep going.”
Clowney’s Return Could Be Timely
The Cowboys’ defense felt the absence of Jadeveon Clowney last week - and so did the stat sheet.
With Clowney sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Detroit Lions gashed Dallas on the ground for 109 yards at a clip of 5.0 yards per carry. It was a noticeable drop-off for a Cowboys run defense that had been trending in the right direction.
But there’s good news: Clowney returned to practice on Wednesday, and all signs point to him being available against the Vikings.
His presence on the edge - especially against the run - is critical. Dallas will need him to help contain a Minnesota offense that can get creative on the ground, particularly with their quarterback situation in flux.
CeeDee Lamb Trending in the Right Direction
All eyes are on CeeDee Lamb as he works through the NFL’s concussion protocol - and so far, the updates have been encouraging.
Lamb left last week’s game against Detroit after entering the protocol, but according to Schottenheimer, he’s progressing well and nearing the final stages of clearance.
“He has two more things he’s gotta get done, but I feel good about that,” Schottenheimer said Wednesday.
The final hurdles include non-contact drills and a full football activity session, followed by clearance from an Independent Neurological Consultant. If all goes well, Lamb should be ready to go Sunday night - and that’s huge for a Dallas offense that needs its top playmaker against a Vikings defense that’s been stingy through the air.
Schottenheimer: Cowboys Must Start Faster
The Cowboys have been playing catch-up far too often this season - and the numbers back it up.
Through 13 games, they’ve been outscored 109-49 in the first quarter. That kind of deficit puts pressure on both sides of the ball and has been a recurring issue, especially before the bye week when the defense was statistically among the league’s worst.
Their loss to Detroit was another example: a sluggish start erased the momentum of a three-game win streak and exposed some of the same old problems.
“I didn’t think we had our best day overall,” Schottenheimer admitted. “Were we tired?
Maybe. We’ve played a lot of games.
But I believe in this group.”
He pointed to the sideline energy and the team’s internal belief system as reasons for optimism - but the message was clear: Dallas has to come out firing, not just reacting.
“You can’t watch our sideline and not know there’s juice,” he said. “But we’ve got to bring that energy from the first snap.”
Looking Ahead
With the Vikings on deck for Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys are at a crossroads. They’re still in the playoff hunt, but the margin for error is shrinking.
Getting Diggs and Clowney back would be major boosts for a defense that’s been up and down. Having CeeDee Lamb cleared would give the offense its most dynamic weapon back in time for a critical matchup.
And if Ryan Flournoy continues to step up, Dallas might be finding some unexpected depth at just the right time.
But none of it will matter if the Cowboys can’t fix their slow starts. That’s the challenge in front of them - and the clock is ticking.