NFL Cowboys News: Tyron Smith limited, key Rams lineman DNP, new CB trade target?
The cleanest Cowboys practice report in years was immediately followed a day later by a familiar sight as Tyron Smith has reportedly suffered a neck injury. It remains to be seen how it may affect his status for Sunday’s game. We’ll also preview Week 8 with a look at how a key Rams injury could have Micah Parsons and the top-ranked (by one measure, anyway) Dallas defense salivating, and what L.A. coach Sean McVay had to say about facing the Cowboys just days after the birth of his son.
Elsewhere, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are among the best duos in one important category, and Brandin Cooks looks to turn around a career-worst start. We look at a trade target that makes perfect sense for the Cowboys and mock our way to landing one of the country’s most exciting playmakers. Also in News and Notes, we’ve got updated Super Bowl odds, a look back at Deion Sanders’s storied career, what Jerry Jones thinks of his next-door neighbors playing for a championship, and a golden oldie of a Romo-magical highlight in honor of Rams Week.
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Cowboys LT Tyron Smith added to injury report with stinger :: Dallas Morning News
Smith was limited at Thursday’s practice after suffering a neck stinger during the day’s session. After putting their preferred five offensive linemen on the field together for the first time in Week 5, Smith’s status is now uncertain.
This Cowboys' 4-man combo is tops among 86 NFL pass-rush groups :: Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys’ D-line quartet of Dante Fowler, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstong, and Micah Parsons is the best in the league at applying pressure. And not just by a little; that group has a pressure rate that’s over 20 percent higher than the second-most efficient foursome.
'I want the big plays': Cowboys' Parsons looks to hunt against pass-happy Rams :: Cowboys Wire
Facing a Rams offense this week that tends to live by the pass, Parsons anticipates having plenty of pass-rush opportunities. Matthew Stafford has been sacked 18 times already in 2023, tied for sixth-most across all passers. And a staggering 17 of those sacks have come in the last five games.
Parsons, Lawrence licking their chops over report of Rams star tackle's DNP :: Jourdan Rodrigue
Potentially significant developing situation for the Rams, as starting right tackle Rob Havenstein is not at practice today. Injury report out later today. If he can’t go Sunday, hunch is Joe Noteboom fills in there.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 26, 2023
2023 NFL trade deadline player-team fits: Derrick Henry landing spot; Cowboys should deal for CB :: NFL.com
Fans are debating names like Patrick Surtain and Derrick Henry, but the Cowboys should be going after Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson. The 24-year-old is seeking a new contract; Chicago may be willing to talk trade in order to get something for him while they still can. A trio of Johnson, Stephon Gilmore, and DaRon Bland would be huge for Dan Quinn’s defense.
Super Bowl 2023 odds and projections before NFL Week 8: Every team’s playoff chances :: The Athletic
Austin Mock’s model currently gives the Cowboys an 84.4% chance of making the postseason but just a 5.7% chance of getting to the Super Bowl. The NFC teams with higher odds are the 49ers, Eagles… and Lions.
Top 10 QB-pass catcher combos entering Week 8 of 2023 NFL season: Tua Tagovailoa-Tyreek Hill reigns :: NFL.com
The Cowboys’ connection of Prescott-to-Lamb comes in 10th on this list, just ahead of Josh Allen-to-Stefon Diggs. The two have generated +27.9 total expected points added through their first six games.
Despite slowest start of career, Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks sticking to mantra :: Cowboys Wire
Cooks has started off his Cowboys tenure far more slowly than he ever has with any of his previous four clubs. Despite career-low stats six games into the season, the veteran maintains the only way out is to “trust the process.” He says he has had “zero” conversations with Dallas coaches about getting him more involved. “That’s not my job,” he said. “My job is to show up, take the game plan, and do it to the best of my ability, and do my job.”
Cowboys vs Rams: 6 things to know about the Week 8 opponent :: Cowboys Wire
Stafford has been a little shaky overall, despite the Rams’ dynamic tandem of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua at wide receiver. Now they’ll bring their new running backs and an uncertain kicker situation to AT&T Stadium for their first road game since Oct. 1. But, they do still have Aaron Donald.
Rams HC second-guessing decision to not sit out Cowboys game? :: Jon Machota
“As excited as I was yesterday,” Sean McVay joked to end his news conference on Wednesday, “once you really dive into the tape (of the Cowboys’ defense) you’re thinking, ‘Wow, maybe I should have stayed at the hospital!’” https://t.co/sNyv0O20dK
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 26, 2023
Cowboys-Rams Throwback Thursday: Best short gain in team history? :: Cowboys Wire
Rams Week always provides a good excuse to queue up one of the most memorable highlights in franchise history. Only the magician Tony Romo could backtrack 34 yards chasing down an errant shotgun snap, scoop it up, and scramble his way to a wholly improbable positive-yardage play.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks plan for life after Geno Smith; Raiders, Chiefs add playmakers on offense :: CBS Sports
Too early for a mock draft? Not if the pretend exercise nets your favorite team the most electrifying playmaker in the country. With the 22nd pick, the Cowboys select cornerback and return specialist Cooper DeJean from Iowa.
How Deion Sanders' NFL career foreshadowed Coach Prime :: ESPN
Darren Woodson could have had a pick-six in Super Bowl XXX if he had only listened to Sanders, who told him exactly what was about to transpire on a short-yardage goal-line play. Woodson instead followed his assignment, and Sanders looked like the chump. “You could’ve been the hero,” Sanders told him afterward. “Now I’m the dude giving up a touchdown.” That’s just one story that showed Sanders’s incredible football intelligence.
What Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said about the Texas Rangers’ World Series run may surprise you :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jones called the Rangers’ berth in the Fall Classic “inspirational” and is looking to attend one or both of the first two games, to be played just down the street from AT&T Stadium. It does, however, stir up a little jealousy to watch his neighbors play for the championship of their sport as the Cowboys’ Super Bowl drought drags on. “I’m elated but I’m envious,” Jones said. “I will assure my fans I have all the right feelings when they come out there and are successful.”
Seahawks to wear throwbacks vs Cowboys in Week 13 :: Seattle Seahawks
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
We're running back the Throwback uniform for Dallas week!#GoHawks x @AAA_Washington pic.twitter.com/7DnEUF3uLx
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 26, 2023
