The biggest question hanging over the Cowboys’ Week 9 injury report is George Pickens, and it comes with a layer of noise Dallas can’t fully escape. Pickens is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts after spending the entire practice week on a limited workload because of a hamstring injury.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer tried to sound encouraging on Friday, saying he was “hopeful” Pickens would play. Even so, three straight limited practices leave the Cowboys bracing for uncertainty with a receiver who has already been part of a larger conversation around his future.
That conversation has only grown louder ahead of the November 10 trade deadline. Pickens is playing this season on the franchise tag, and his name has been tied to speculation after Schottenheimer’s earlier criticism of his run blocking and the questions that followed about how Dallas has been using him. But the reporting around the situation has also pushed back on the idea that a move is coming.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said he had been told the Cowboys were not trading Pickens, adding that “as of right now, there’s nothing there.”
Dallas also heard from Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb on Thursday, both of whom pushed back on the trade chatter. For now, the more immediate issue is whether Pickens can be healthy enough to help against Indianapolis, and even if he suits up, that does not mean he’ll be ready for a full workload.
Pickens is not the only name on the injury list. The Cowboys have ruled out KaVontae Turpin, who is dealing with a rib injury, and outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence, who missed all three practices with an ankle issue. Turpin’s absence leaves Dallas without one of its offensive pieces, while Pickens’ status keeps the passing game in flux.
The questionable group is long. Along with Pickens, Dallas listed Jake Ferguson, Joey Porter Jr. and DeMarvion Overshown as questionable. Jonathan Bullard, Marist Liufau and Luke Schoonmaker are also in that category, giving the Cowboys plenty to sort through before kickoff.
🔑 #Cowboys final injury report vs. Colts is below.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) November 6, 2026
📝 i expect a move made to make room for the likely return of Marist Liufau from IR (Malachi Lawrence to IR?).
📝 correction: PJ Locke and Caleb Downs have officially cleared concussion protocol.
📝 Dee Winters is… pic.twitter.com/q5zGmRhacW
Ferguson’s week was especially shaky. He missed Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited role Friday because of an ankle injury. Schoonmaker stayed limited all week with a groin issue, leaving uncertainty at both tight end spots.
Porter’s week trended in the other direction, going from full participation Wednesday to limited work Thursday and Friday with an ankle injury. Bullard, who is managing a calf issue, and Liufau, who is dealing with a forearm injury, were full participants all week despite their questionable tags.
Overshown was limited in the two practices recorded in the supplied report while managing hamstring and back injuries. His Friday participation entry is absent, so it should not be treated as a confirmed missed practice.
There were some positive developments elsewhere on the report. Caleb Downs and P.J.
Locke moved from no participation to full Friday sessions, while Tyler Smith and Dee Winters also finished the week fully. Kenny Clark and Drew Shelton were full participants throughout.
Broderick Jones and Von Miller both returned to full participation after personal and rest absences, respectively. Their Friday entries are missing, and in the supplied report they carry unspecified game statuses rather than confirmed absences.
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