FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys played one of their most well-rounded games of the season in Week 5, resulting in a 37-22 over the New York Jets to get back in the win column and move to 2-2-1 for the season.
Cowboys owner and general manager said that the team had "never been that shorthanded in my time with the Cowboys," as they were down seven starters. Still, there was a lot of positives to take away going forward.
Jones discussed the injury outlook for the future and plenty more on his weekly radio interview with 105.3 The Fan. Here's more of what he had to say ahead of Dallas' road game against the Panthers:
Could the Cowboys add via trade before the deadline?
The NFL trade deadline falls on November 4. That's 28 days away, and the Cowboys will play in four more games before the deadline comes around. With some encouraging signs from how the Cowboys have played through the first five games, does Jones feel enticed to test the trade waters and see if he can add somewhere?
"I think that old sign is out, 'Open for Business,' is there. I think that we are continually looking. As we go on into this season, teams will position themselves where they basically feel like less of a contender because of the losses or because of circumstance on their team." Jones said.
"That's when you'll see sometimes some better players that are available because the team has decided to start redoing some things on their salary cap structure, for instance. There's opportunity there, and that's when you start getting those calls. And yes, we're in a position to improve our team if we get an opportunity to."
Coaching played biggest role in win vs. Jets
Down four starters on the offensive line and plenty of others on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys' depth needed to step up in a big way against the Jets. They did, and Jones attributed their success to the coaching staff.
"It was unquestionably the coaching that, in my mind, was the overriding reason that we played as well with the situation we were in," Jones said. "It also bodes well for how defensively, we're evolving into executing that scheme better. So there were a lot of things there, including the score, that made it great for us to play like we did."
The good news for the Cowboys is they're expected to continue getting healthier and potentially get some of their starters back as early as this week, and the reps in-game that depth pieces got against the Jets can help raise their confidence for when and if they're called upon again.
Dak Prescott's play to start the season
As Dak Prescott headed to the tunnel following the win, he was serenaded with "MVP" chants from Cowboys fans after a 237 yard, four touchdown performance. Does Jones think Prescott is playing MVP caliber football?
"I think he is playing at that level," Jones said. "He is obviously right there at the very top of the strengths of this team, and what a place to have it. Of all the places you could have it going well for you, that would be the one you would pick to give you a chance to be in the playoffs."
Prescott said following the game that he heard the chants, but didn't hear them at the same time because he's more focused on the overall team goals they've set before themselves.
Trevon Diggs bouncing back
From having some of his base salary reduced for training outside the team's facility in the offseason to not starting last Week against the Packers, Trevon Diggs has had some ups and downs throughout the season.
Now though, it seems like things are going in the right direction, and Jones sees Diggs turning a corner and is happy to have him on the team.
"Very pleased, because he has the early part of this year, training camp, then in his offseason, he's had what's seemingly slow time or a 'Where are you Diggs?' time," Jones said. "He's come through that, and he's actually inspiring everybody by the way he's coming through it, taking his licks, and has basically really improved and gotten better. I know this, he's unique in a lot of different ways, I'm glad we've got him."
Injury updates ahead of Carolina
Jones described the Jets game as the most banged up the Cowboys have ever been since he's owned the team. So, could they be getting healthier next week against the Carolina Panthers?
"Yes, and we probably should be a little cautious as to how we say this because we need to see them work earlier, but we've got our fingers crossed on [KaVontae] Turpin, and possibly, it would be a stretch, but we could have one of those offensive linemen come in." Jones said.
The three starting offensive linemen that could return are Tyler Booker (ankle), Tyler Smith (knee) and Tyler Guyton (concussion). Cooper Beebe is on IR with an ankle injury. Turpin missed last week's game with a foot injury.
