Cowboys News: Zack Martin updates status, Jourdan Lewis ‘100%’, uniform schedule released
Cowboys fans aren’t crazy about the names already on the injury report just one game into the new season, but the news isn’t as dire as it might seem. Zack Martin, Brandin Cooks, Jourdan Lewis, and Tyler Smith all give encouraging updates as to their respective conditions.
Elsewhere, Micah Parsons is gearing up for a defensive showdown on Sunday, even though Jets quarterback Zach Wilson wants to come to town doing his best Aaron Rodgers impersonation. Mike McCarthy is focused on shutting down the New York run game, KaVontae Turpin looks to be more than just a gadget guy for the Cowboys in 2023, Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore are set to take the league by storm, and we’re looking at how the Dallas offense used one personnel package to great success in Week 1. All that, plus uniform news as the Cowboys reveal what they’ll wear when, including a new helmet decal this week… and we try to clear up the confusion about a rumored alteration that would have really stood out. News and Notes, coming right up.
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Report: Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks has sprained MCL but not ruled out for Week 2 :: Cowboys Wire
The knee injury that landed Cooks on the first injury report of the week has been identified as a sprained MCL. The injury won’t necessarily require him to miss any time; the veteran receiver said, “If I’m out there, there’s no limitations.”
Cowboys' Zack Martin added to Thursday injury report; Donovan Wilson practices :: Cowboys Wire
Martin was limited Thursday with a groin injury, but one reporter said he “would be surprised if it’s anything major,” given that the eight-time Pro Bowler still met with media as normal. Wilson participated in his first practice since January; he had suffered a calf injury on the first day of this summer’s camp.
Zack Martin downplays seriousness of groin injury :: Patrik Walker
Zack Martin to @1053thefan re: being added to the #Cowboys injury report on Wednesday (groin):
"I'm doing good. It was just a little tight so they [took] care of me today."
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) September 14, 2023
Tyler Smith discusses hamstring injury, rehab process :: The Mothership
“I want to be on the field with my brothers. I want to play,” Smith said. But he knows rushing back on a bad hamstring could lead to further absences. “It can be frustrating for any athlete to suffer a setback or a hiccup like that, but I’m being smart in my rehab. Improving my process is a part of it.”
Jourdan Lewis promises he's 'absolutely' ready to play :: Patrik Walker
Jourdan Lewis says he is “absolutely” ready to play and puts his odds of doing so at “100%”, but also notes it’s the decision of the #Cowboys — the green light being based upon their final evaluation.
He wasn’t on the Wednesday injury report.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) September 14, 2023
Cowboys admit KaVontae Turpin has a new role in 2023 :: Cowboys Wire
McCarthy explicitly said that he didn’t want to limit the dangerously fast return specialist to being just “a gadget guy” in the Cowboys offense like he was last year. Turpin’s three targets through the air and three carries on Sunday already exceed or match his season totals from last season. He’s a real part of this year’s offense and could be a weapon that takes them to the next level.
Jets' Zach Wilson talks positive impact of 'big bro' Aaron Rodgers :: ESPN
Zach Wilson will do his best to make the Cowboys forget they’re not playing Aaron Rodgers. “I feel like I’ve been trying to copy every little thing he’s doing, from his footwork to the coaching tips he has given us,” Wilson said Thursday. Jets receiver Garrett Wilson adds that he and other teammates have noticed the changes in their new starting quarterback since Rodgers came to town.
Jets vs Cowboys: 6 things to know about Week 2 opponent :: Cowboys Wire
The Jets’ QB switch is obvious, but look for the suspect New York offensive line to be an area the Cowboys try to attack. Whoever’s throwing for the Jets has the dynamic Wilson out there, and the defense is outstanding. Even without Rodgers, Dallas will face a quality opponent who will bring plenty of other weapons.
Micah on clash with Jets: 'This is a battle of defense' :: The Mothership
“I really did want to play Aaron,” Parsons admitted. But he says the Jets defense is a lot like his own and will make for a different kind of game now. “Usually people are like, ‘Who’s going to score the most?’ Nah, [it’s about] who’s going to keep the least amount of points. And those are the types of games we love.”
Cowboys believe Stephon Gilmore, Trevon Diggs are primed to become NFL's best cornerback duo :: Yahoo Sports
Gilmore nabbed his 30th career interception Sunday; Diggs had 11 in just one season in 2021. But picks don’t fully capture either player’s impact much less the full danger they pose as a tandem. Gilmore’s arrival has already made Diggs even better and upgraded the Dallas D as a whole.
Cowboys, McCarthy look to ground Jets' two-pronged run game: 'Stop it and keep it stopped' :: Cowboys Wire
Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook both have home-run potential every time they touch the ball, and McCarthy believes the rushing attack is “how people are going to come after us.” The Cowboys run defense in Week 1 showed improvement over 2022; they’ll look to make that their new identity.
The surprising efficiency of the Cowboys 12 personnel group :: Cowboys Wire
One back, two tight ends. The Cowboys lined up that way 10 times on Sunday and found success on eight of those plays; it was arguably their best personnel package on the night. Too early to say if that’s a preview of 2023 or just how Week 1 unfolded.
Cowboys uniform schedule: Dallas to wear Color Rush twice in 2023 :: Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys will wear their usual white jerseys for the first five games of the season before putting on their Color Rush uniforms for Week 6 at the Chargers. Week 14 versus the Eagles will also see the Color Rush sets; Navy jerseys will be worn in Week 8 (vs Rams), Week 17 (vs Lions), and Week 18 (at Commanders). The team will sport a “throwback navy” look on Thanksgiving when they host Washington.
Cowboys to honor Gil Brandt with helmet decals debuting Sunday :: Todd Archer
The Cowboys will wear these stickers on their helmets Sunday against the New York Jets to honor Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, their former personnel chief who recently passed away. pic.twitter.com/nybZrpuTFs
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 14, 2023
Update: Cowboys not changing silver pants stripe after all :: Uni Watch
After this year’s NFL Style Guide appeared to show the Cowboys moving from navy striping to royal blue on their silver pants (which would not have matched the blue jerseys normally worn with them), Dallas radio station KRLD says the Style Guide is wrong. It would have been just another quirk in what is an already all-over-the-place uniform set.
