FRISCO, Texas — On Thursday evening, the Dallas Cowboys will make franchise history when they depart to North Texas to make their way to Brazil, where they will square off against the Baltimore Ravens in the first-ever NFL game to be played in Rio de Janeiro.
All international games are a massive undertaking for the league and the teams that are participating, and this trek to South America will be no different. As the NFL works to ensure the playing field concerns are put to bed before the Cowboys and Ravens arrive, players are focused on what they can control.
Sitting at 1-1 on the season after a bounceback effort in their 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 2, the Cowboys control what will happen on Sunday against former league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens — focused on putting a 2-1 record in their carry-on luggage on the way back to Dallas.
Several of the team's top players weighed in on the trip to Brazil, and there's plenty of excitement in the air knowing they'll be making NFL history.
George Pickens:
"I've never been to Brazil. Super excited. The first thing I'm thinking about is to see if we got fans out there."
Jake Ferguson:
"I'm really excited. I grew up playing football, and I think it's a beautiful game. To be able to take it all over the world is a beautiful thing. I'm anticipating it's gonna be pretty loud for kicks, and things like that. It'll be pretty interesting. Just watching some of the other games that were overseas, it's cool seeing all the different jerseys and it's gonna be this cool energy the entire time. … It is a business trip. We're not going for leisure or for sightseeing. When you view it that way, it's easier to lock in."
Ryan Flournoy:
"Definitely excited. It's a game we've been talking about since training camp, and it's here now. We've got to make sure we've got things in order to have a better trip than the Ravens, honestly."
Rashan Gary:
"Yes, I was in Sao Paulo two years ago. I feel like it's going to be different, especially being able to take football out of the country, bringing it to other people — the energy, the love, the environment. Especially Cowboys fans, because they travel heavy, and they travel a lot, so it's going to be a great experience and I can't wait."
Tyler Booker:
"My longest flight was from Tampa (FL) to Eugene (OR) for some official visits. I think that was eight and a half hours, something crazy like that. I'm definitely gonna find a couple movies I've been waiting to watch. I'll probably check those out, but we are flying through the night, so hopefully I'll just sleep through most of it. [But I'll watch] Harlem Knights, for sure. That's my favorite movie of all time."
No. 0 – DeMarvion Overshown, LB - Enters his fourth year and and started the game at middle linebacker, but suffered a hamstring injury that kept him from finishing the Week 1 game in New York. Overshown might miss some games but is not expected to go to injured reserve.
No. 1 – P.J. Locke, Safety - Signed over from the Broncos in free agency, Locke has played the first two games but suffered a foot injury in Week 2 that could sideline him for a game, if not longer.
No. 2 – Cobie Durant, CB - After four years with the Rams, Durant signed with the Cowboys in free agency. In his second game with the Cowboys, he suffered a hamstring injury that could keep him out for some time.
No. 3– George Pickens, WR - Coming off a career year in which he finished third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,452, Pickens is playing on the franchise tag of $27.2 million and is seeking a long-term contract at the end of the season that would make him one of the league's highest-paid offensive players.
No. 4 – Dak Prescott, QB -With four TD tosses in Week 2 vs. Washington, Dak became the Cowboys' all-time leader in TD passes with 249, surpassing Tony Romo.
No. 5 – Bryan Anger, Punter - One of the most experienced players on the team, Anger is in his 15th pro season. He's a valuable member of special teams, not only as the punter but the holder for kicker Brandon Aubrey.
No. 6– Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB - After switching to No. 6 in the offseason, Ezeiruaku was one of the highest-graded players against the Giants in Week 1, recording 10 tackles with a forced fumble.
No. 7 – Rashan Gary, OLB - Acquired this offseason in a trade with the Packers, Gary brings experienced and leadership to the defense and has been one of the key pass-rushers so far in the 2026 season.
No. 9 – KaVontae Turpin, WR/KR - One of the NFL's most dangerous kick returns, Turpin has made three Pro Bowls as a return specialist during his four seasons in the NFL. But he's also becoming a valuable receiving threat, evident by his 86-yard touchdown catch against Washington last season.
No. 11– Elijah Clark, Safety - The second-year safety recently switched into No. 11 after wearing No. 38 for his rookie season. Clark figures to add both depth at safety and on special teams.
No. 13– Caleb Downs, Safety - Making his highly-anticipated NFL debut, Downs had a sack and forced fumble, playing all over the field as the slot corner, nickel safety and deep safety at times.
No. 14– Markquese Bell, Safety - The Cowboys love Bell's versatility to play safety, linebacker and of course, special teams – making him a consistent option for the game-day roster each week.
No. 17– Brandon Aubrey, Kicker - The NFL's highest-paid kicker has already had three phenomenal seasons in the league and enters Year 4 with high expectations again. Aubrey also looks to increase his NFL record of most career field goals of 60 yards or more – currently with six.
No. 18– Jonathan Mingo, WR - After wearing No. 81 the last two years, Mingo has switched jerseys – flipping the numbers and hopefully flipping the script for his career. The second-round pick of the Panthers in 2023, Mingo had a great camp and preseason with the Cowboys and should be in line to not only play each week, but contribute on offense and special teams.
No. 16– Sam Howell, QB - The backup quarterback has been a heated debate all offseason and Howell's preseason finale performance likely helped him get the nod over Joe Milton, who is on the practice squad.
No. 19 - Ryan Flournoy, WR - The Cowboys are excited about Flournoy's upside, evident by extending his contract a year just before the start of the 2026 season.
No. 21– Caelen Carson, CB - After battling several cornerbacks for the final roster spots in the secondary, Carson stuck around once again. Carson adds experience and depth to the position.
No. 23– Ameer Speed, CB - After wearing No. 39 this offseason, Speed switched to No. 23. His size and length should give the Cowboys an added boost in the secondary and on special teams, where he played mostly to begin the 2026 season.
No. 24– Malik Hooker, Safety - Another player who switched numbers this offseason, Hooker went from No. 28 to 24. But in the first game of the season, Hooker suffered a fractured forearm injury that will keep him out a few games, but the Cowboys decided not to put him on an IR list, which would automatically keep him out four weeks.
No. 26– DaRon Bland, CB - The Cowboys can only hope Bland returns to the form he showed in 2023, when we set the NFL record for most pick-6 touchdowns in a season with five. Bland has had a healthy offseason and it showed with a strong training camp.
No. 28– Shavon Revel, CB - Another number change from last year, Revel moved to No. 28 this season. Revel has been the starter on the outside and recovered a fumble in Week 1 and had a key PBU vs. Washington.
No. 29– Devin Moore, CB - Technically not on the active roster, Moore is currently on IR-desginated to return. The rookie will miss the first four games at least and could return to action for the first time on Oct. 8 against the Bucs.
No. 30– Hunter Luepke, FB - Changing numbers wasn't his first choice, but after some convincing and a financial agreement with Von Miller, Luepke is now in No. 30.
No. 31– Emari Demercado, RB - A late addition to the team this offseason, Demercado was successfully claimed off waivers following the initial NFL cutdowns to 53 players. He returns to Dallas as a TCU product thrilled to help contribute alongside Javonte Williams and Malik Davis.
No. 32 – Tyler Goodson, RB
No. 33– Javonte Williams, RB - The first signing in free agency in 2025, Williams became the bell cow for the Cowboys over the course of what became a breakout season and, one year later, became the first contract extension by the Cowboys as they solidify their RB1 role with one of the best in the league.
No. 34– Jalen Thompson, Safety - Thompson made his Cowboys debut against the Giants in Week 1 and finished the game with nine tackles.
15 August 2026: Game day captains Luke Schoonmaker (86), Marist Liufau (35), Alijah Clark (38)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL preseason 17-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
No. 40– Von Miller, OLB - Where does one begin here? Miller is a seven-time All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl champion, a former Super Bowl MVP and, amongst other things, he's a native of the Dallas-Fort Worth area (DeSoto). Miller is home, playing for his hometown team and "living the dream".
No. 41– James Houston, OLB - A pleasant surprise for the Cowboys last season, Houston arrived and did everything they hoped he'd do in his first year with the club. He has become one of the best situational pass rushers on the team and only stands to improve with Christian Parker at the helm.
No. 44– Trent Sieg, LS - Following a legend is a tall task, to say the very least. But just as you never heard the name of L.P. Ladouceur called in a game (well, once), you've also never heard Sieg's since joining the Cowboys in 2023, one of the valuable players on the roster with the power to help determine field position with every long snap.
No. 50– Shemar James, LB - Entering the second year of his NFL career, the former Gator is a tackling machine for the Cowboys, as he was at Florida. James is one of the better special teams players in Dallas who will also be looked upon to make waves on the defensive side of the ball as well.
No. 51– Nick Leverett, OL - The loss of Tyler Smith leaves the Cowboys searching for offensive line depth, but they don't have to search far. Leverett is a swing interior lineman signed for just such an occasion, activated to the 53-man roster to help ensure consistency in the trenches.
No. 52– Tyler Booker, OL- Entering his second season, Booker is the team's starting right guard and had one of the highest grades of any player Sunday against the Giants in Week 1.
No. 53– Dee Winters, LB - In dire need of figuring out their LB depth chart, and not wanting to leave NFL Draft weekend without acquiring an impact player at that position, the Cowboys made a move to trade with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Winters who, to this point, looks like he'll be a bit of a nightmare for opposing offenses.
No. 55 – Jaishawn Barham - The rookie linebacker got his first start in Week 2, replacing the injured DeMarvion Overshown. Barham recorded a key forced fumble that led to a game-changing turnover for the Cowboys.
No. 56– Cooper Beebe, C - Enters his third season as the Cowboys' starting center.
No. 57 – Malachi Lawrence - The first-round pick made his NFL debut against the Giants and has been among the pass-rush rotation early in his rookie season.
No. 60–Tyler Guyton, T - Not many in the NFL entered training camp with as much pressure on their shoulders as did Guyton, and all the former first-round pick did was respond with the best camp of his career, and his healthiest. Guyton feels good, and plans on making sure that translates into him playing very, very well in 2026.
No. 65 – Ajani Cornelius, OL - Heading into his second year out of Oregon, the Cowboys have tried Cornelius out at guard during the preseason, where he put together some good reps.
No. 66 – T.J. Bass, OL - After placing the second-round tender on Bass earlier the offseason, Bass steps into a massive role for Dallas early in the season, starting at left guard in place of Tyler Smith.
No. 67 – Drew Shelton, OL - One of the Cowboys' three fourth-round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft, Shelton has plenty of room for growth and development at tackle and potentially guard.
No. 73 – Tyler Smith, OL - While currently on IR recovering from thumb surgery, Smith will provide a big boost to Dallas' offensive line upon his return as he seeks fourth straight Pro Bowl season.
No. 77 – Broderick Jones, OT - After trading third- and fifth-round picks for Jones after the preseason, the Cowboys made him the swing tackle for his Cowboys debut against the Giants in Week 1.
No. 78 – Terence Steele, OT - One of Dallas' iron men on the offensive line, Steele has now been challenged by the coaching staff to hold on to the starting right tackle job he's held for the most part since 2020.
No. 80 – Camden Brown, WR - The Cowboys' darling of training camp and the preseason, Brown, a UDFA out of Georgia Southern, did enough to prove himself worthy of being on the 53-man roster in one of Dallas' deepest position rooms.
No. 86 – Luke Schoonmaker, TE - After Brevyn Spann-Ford has grown into the role of the Cowboys' TE2, Schoonmaker has a lot to prove heading into his fourth season with Dallas.
No. 87 – Jake Ferguson, TE - Following a year of injuries and struggles with ball security, Ferguson is hoping to rebound in 2026 while still building off the 600 yards and eight touchdowns he had a year ago.
No. 88 – CeeDee Lamb, WR - Lamb has surpassed Dez Bryant for 5th on the Cowboys all-time list for receiving yards and had a huge Week 2 game vs. Washington, catching Dak's record-setting TD.
No. 89 – Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE - With a new three-year extension to show for it, Spann-Ford has earned the trust of the Cowboys' coaching staff to become an integral part of the offense for the foreseeable future.
No. 90 – Jonathan Bullard, DT - Bullard's veteran experience heading into year 11 of his career is a large boost to the depth of the Cowboys' defensive tackle room.
No. 91 – Otito Ogbonnia, DT - After four seasons with the Chargers, Ogbonnia arrives with the Cowboys hoping to serve as a plug in the middle of the defensive line.
No. 92 – Quinnen Williams, DT - Williams is one of the cornerstones for the Cowboys' defense now and in the future, as shown by the three-year, $105.9 million contract he signed with Dallas last month to lock him in contractually through the 2030 season.
No. 97– Kenny Clark, DT - The veteran defensive tackle is a team captain and one of the anchors on the Cowboys D-line.
No. 99 – LT Overton, DT - In a deep defensive tackle room, Overton adds a smaller, but strong and powerful option that can line up in multiple different positions along the front.
