Don't miss any of the action with our daily updates: news, notes and more throughout the Cowboys' regular season. Presented by Blockchain.com
January 31 Updates
9:51 a.m. - Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is still a candidate for two open head coaching jobs - Seattle and Washington. Quinn visited with the Commanders for the second time on Tuesday.
From the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones was asked to comment on Quinn's status but he didn't provide much context, other than his opinion on his current DC.
"He's an outstanding coach," he said. "We have benefitted from Dan, and we'll see where it goes. I don't want to comment other than the fact that we think he's outstanding."
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January 30 Updates
11:40 a.m. — There is a list of Dallas Cowboys headed to the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl this year, including the addition on Tuesday of DeMarcus Lawrence, Jake Ferguson and Tyler Smith, that latter two landing their first-ever Pro Bowl nod in Year 2 of their promising careers — though Dak Prescott and Zack Martin will not join them for the trip.
Prescott has opted to forego attending this year's Pro Bowl, having landed the honor for a third time in his career. His decision is not due to injury, but instead that he is expecting the birth of his newborn daughter; and he will be replaced by quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Martin will also not participate, and his decision is also due to his family expecting a new addition, the latest Cowboy to welcome a newborn into his family over the past several months; and Martin will be replaced by Smith. He joins a growing list of others that includes Prescott, who is expecting his newborn daughter in March.
In all, the Cowboys will send a total of eight players to the Pro Bowl festivities, with Prescott and Martin having opted out, but a total of 10 in all — the most since the 2007 season (13).
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January 25 Updates
10:25 a.m. — It's possible the Dallas Cowboys will see a longtime friend turn divisional foe in 2024 and beyond, that is if things materialize between Kellen Moore and a bitter NFC East rival.
Following the hiring of Jim Harbaugh as head coach of the Chargers, a possible shakeup may be on the way in Los Angeles, and the Philadelphia Eagles are wasting no time in wanting to speak with Moore about their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Per reports, the Eagles have submitted a request to the Chargers for a chance to speak with Moore, who also reportedly garnered a request from the Cleveland Browns as well — the Chargers granting Moore permission to speak with teams.
It's early in the process and unclear where Moore will end up in 2024, but there's a chance the former Cowboys' quarterback turned quarterbacks coach turned offensive coordinator could be wearing Kelly Green sometime soon.
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January 17 Updates
3:00 p.m. — With the offseason now abruptly arrived, the Dallas Cowboys must quickly turn their attention to NFL free agency, and first that means securing in-house names they'd prefer to not see hit the open market. They can now begin signing players to Reserve/Futures deals, and the list is rapidly growing.
On Wednesday, they re-signed wide receiver Martavis Bryant to the team, having released/waived him ahead of the playoffs. Bryant joined the team late in the 2023 season after his indefinite suspension was lifted, and clearly showed promise that warrants another look.
Alongside Bryant will be running back Malik Davis, who enters his third year with the Cowboys after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
He'll compete with a new face to the organization, Snoop Conner, a former Ole Miss running back turned 5th-round pick of the Jaguars in 2022.
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January 15 Updates
4:30 p.m. — Along with Monday's exit interviews, the Dallas Cowboys retained eight members from the practice squad on Reserve/Future Contracts.
Those included rookie undrafted free agents T Earl Bostick, TE Princeton Fant, DE Durrell Johnson and WR Jalen Cropper. They also retained first-year CB Josh Butler, recently signed WR Racey McMath, midseason acquisition LB Buddy Johnson and fifth-year DB Sheldrick Redwine.
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January 14 Updates
2:00 p.m. — Following some injury scares from the Dallas Cowboys, heading into their matchup on Super Wild Card Weekend against the Green Bay Packers, good news has arrived on several major fronts — Tyler Smith, Zack Martin and Stephon Gilmore all cleared medically to take the field.
Smith is returning from a torn plantar fascia that kept him out of the Week 18 bout with the Washington Commanders, a contest that also saw Martin ruled out at the last minute with an illness. Gilmore suffered a shoulder injury in that game but returned to practice this week and carried no game designation on the final injury report.
It's truly all hands on-deck for the Cowboys, and particularly knowing there is no tomorrow if they allow Green Bay to upset them at AT&T Stadium.
Inactives for the Cowboys in this week's matchup include Matt Waletzko, Tyrus Wheat, Eric Scott, Jalen Brooks, Asim Richards, Junior Fehoko and Trey Lance (emergency QB).
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January 12 Updates
4:14 p.m. - The only player on the roster that seems to be in question for Sunday's playoff game is backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who was added to the injury report Friday with an illness.
Rush is listed as "questionable" for the game. If active, he would be Dak Prescott's backup for the game, like he has been all season long. If Rush is unable to play, the Cowboys would use Trey Lance as the backup.
Other than Rush, the Cowboys are relatively healthy heading into the Wild Card game. Tyler Smith (foot), Stephon Gilmore (shoulder) and Johnathan Hankins (ankle) are all expected to play.
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12:31 p.m. - The Cowboys had nine players on the first- and second-teams for the annual AP All-Pro team, announced on Friday.
Leading the way was CeeDee Lamb, who was just one vote shy of a unanimous selection. He was one of four first-teamers, along with Zack Martin, Brandon Aubrey and DaRon Bland.
Dak Prescott, Tyler Smith, Tyron Smith and Bryan Anger were all named to the second-team All-Pro list.
Lamb, a second-team All-Pro selection in 2022, enjoyed a career season this year with an NFL-leading 135 catches for 1,749 yards - both new single-season franchise records.
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January 11 Updates
3:00 p.m. — There was no indication that Zack Martin would miss the regular season finale between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders, at least not until shortly before kickoff, when he was diagnosed with illness and eventually ruled inactive.
He's now returned to practice, and provided some insight into his availability for the matchup on Super Wild Card Weekend against the visiting Green Bay Packers.
"I'm feeling better," said the nine-time Pro Bowl guard on Thursday. "It was a rough first 36 hours for me. But my guys went out there and took care of business, and I'm feeling a lot better."
But if the contest against the Commanders was a playoff game, could he have played?
"It wasn't a playoff game," he said with a smile.
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January 10 Updates
10:45 a.m. — The list of NFL Pro Bowlers has been announced and seven Cowboys made the cut, but there were some arguable snubs as well. Get ready for the conversation regarding accolades to ramp up with the NFLPA First-Team All-Pro list having been revealed.
This list is not to be confused with the AP (or PFWA) versions that have long been the standard for All-Pro voting, but instead is one voted on completely by the players, and only the players.
Those who made the First-Team list are CeeDee Lamb, Zack Martin, DaRon Bland, Brandon Aubrey and Tyler Smith. The most notable omissions are Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, though there is a chance they will appear on the NFLPA Second-Team All-Pro list.
All who are honored are deserving, and Smith was absent from the Pro Bowl honorees list, making this an acknowledgement of what he's doing in 2023. As for Prescott (a top MVP candidate) and Parsons, however, particularly with the latter having made it clear he puts more weight in what players' voting than in Pro Bowl balloting — this could serve as major motivation heading into the playoffs.
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January 9 Updates
10 a.m. — Mike McCarthy has now led the Cowboys to a second division title in three seasons, a No. 2 seed in the playoffs and a third straight 12-win season.
Despite these realities, with the added fact he owns the No. 1 offense in the league in his first year back as a play caller, there are reports that have emerged speculating McCarthy is on the hot seat.
Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Cowboys, put those rumors to bed ahead of the Super Wild Card Weekend matchup versus the Packers.
"I couldn't be more pleased with what he's done and how he's coached," Jones told 105.3 The Fan. "… I really mean it. He has really made as big a difference from his head coaching vantage point as anybody could from any vantage point in the NFL. He's the big difference this year."
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January 8 Updates
5:15 p.m. – Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore suffered a dislocated shoulder on Sunday in the first half of the win against the Washington Commanders, and while things didn't look good when he was on the sideline in a sling in the second half, Gilmore said postgame that he felt great and that he was excited for next week.
That good news was met with more good news on Monday after the Cowboys returned to The Star in Frisco where further evaluations have his outlook for this week looking "definitely better than we anticipated," according to head coach Mike McCarthy.
"He definitely feels good about the opportunity to play on Sunday," McCarthy said.
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12:21 p.m. – The Cowboys couldn't have been more excited with the way their backup guards fill in against Washington on Sunday. Not only did rookie T.J. Bass play for an injured Tyler Smith (foot) but then Brock Hoffman was thrown into action when Zack Martin came down with an illness Sunday morning.
However, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said Monday on 105. "The Fan" he's expecting the starters to be back in action Sunday in the Wild Card round against Green Back.
"They stepped up and did a great job. It's great to know you have those guys in the organization," Jones said of both Hoffman and Bass. "But certainly, it'll only get better when you get a Zack Martin, who's an All-Pro ... and get Tyler Smith back.The line should be be back full force and ready to go to start the playoffs. I feel really good about that."
Smith missed most of practice last week with plantar fasciitus in his foot but was ruled out on Sunday morning. With another week before the Packers game, the second-year guard has a real shot to return.
"I feel really good about Tyler being ready to play against the Packers at ATT Stadium on Sunday afternoon," Jones said.
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January 7 Updates
The 38-10 win for the Dallas Cowboys clinched the NFC East for the team, but fans held their breath after starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and was spotted with a sling over his arm after halftime.
However, the injury doesn't appear to be too serious as Gilmore said his shoulder popped out and it was popped back in by the medical staff.
"It just popped out and they popped it back in place," Gilmore said postgame. "I feel way better now. Happy it wasn't nothing too crazy."
Head coach Mike McCarthy said that Gilmore told him that "he was fine and he'd be ready to go" for next week's playoff game against the Packers.
"I'm excited for the opportunity we have," Gilmore said.
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6:11 p.m. – While even he admitted earlier in the week he was expecting bigger numbers for 2023, Tony Pollard finished the season on a high note, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark with 70 rushing yards.
That put him with 1,005 yards this year, becoming just the sixth running back in Cowboys history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Only Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith, DeMarco Murray and Ezekiel Elliott have accomplished that feat.
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6:04 p.m. – Cornerback DaRon Bland picked off a third-quarter pass, giving him nine interceptions for the season to lead the NFL.
Bland set a new career-high with the nine picks, but he's led the Cowboys in interceptions now for the second straight year.
Bland set the NFL record with five interception returns for TDs against Washington back on Thanksgiving, but finishes with nine
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2:55 p.m. — Some bad news arrived at the last minute for the Dallas Cowboys, with Zack Martin contracting illness that initially left him expected to play but, at the wire, the team opted to rule him out. He is joined by Tyler Smith as inactive against the Commanders.
The absence of Smith (foot) and Martin creates an opportunity for T.J. Bass and potentially Chuma Edoga on the interior, flanking Tyler Biadasz — who will play despite having battled illness himself this week.
Johnathan Hankins, however, returns to action after recovering from a high ankle sprain, giving him a chance to knock off rust ahead of the playoffs — having missed the previous three games — and helping to bolster the run defense in Washington.
The list of Week 18 inactives for the Cowboys include Trey Lance (emergency QB), Eric Scott, Noah Igbinoghene, Sheldrick Redwine, Junior Fehoko and Eric Scott.
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January 6 Updates
1:30 p.m. — When the Dallas Cowboys take the field for a "must-win" against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, you will not see La'el Collins or Damien Wilson in uniform.
With both having signed later in the week, and Collins having not played a down of football since before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in December 2022, neither are ramped up for a game quite yet.
Instead, the Cowboys have decided to elevate safety Sheldrick Redwine and linebacker Buddy Johnson from the practice squad this week.
Both will be looked upon as depth at their respective position as well as taking on special teams duties.
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January 4 Updates
5:21 p.m. – As we get closer to Sunday's game in Washington, the Cowboys are adding more players on the **injury report**, especially to the list of those not practicing.
On Thursday, eight players were held out, including guard Tyler Smith, who has not practiced this week with a foot injury. Head coach Mike McCarthy isn't ruling out his chances of playing, stating that he wants to see what he can on Saturday's practice before the team departs for Washington.
Others not practicing Thursday include Dorance Armstrong (ankle) and four others with an illness.
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9:41 a.m. – Somewhat lost in the news regarding the return of La'el Collins and Damien Wilson is the release of wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who was among the four players removed from the practice squad on Thursday.
Bryant, a veteran who played 44 games for the Steelers and Raiders from 2014-2018, was out of football for nearly five seasons before a tryout with the Cowboys led to him signing on the practice squad on Nov. 8.
The 6-4 receiver with 17 career touchdowns brought a unique skill set to the practice squad and scout team for nearly two months but the Cowboys never decided to elevate for game day and now appear to be moving on.
Bryant was among two receivers cut on Thursday from the practice squad, along with Tyron Billy-Johnson. They still have Jalen Cropper and now Racey McMath as receivers on the practice squad.
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January 3 Updates
10:50 a.m. — The Dallas Cowboys have activated rookie defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the 53-man roster from the injured reserve list and have moved rookie running back Deuce Vaughn to the injured reserve list in a corresponding move.
Fehoko, who has been on the IR since Nov. 18, saw his 21-day practice window expire on Wednesday and was activated to the 53-man roster as a result. Drafted in the fourth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Fehoko has yet to make his NFL debut.
Vaughn, drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, will head to the IR after playing in seven games in his rookie season including rushing for two yards and hauling in one reception for 10 yards on Saturday against the Lions.
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January 1 Updates
4:00 p.m. — It was the failed two-point conversion heard around the world on Saturday, when the Detroit Lions drew an illegal touching penalty with the game on the line that helped award the Dallas Cowboys their 11th win of the season and a chance to clinch the NFC East in Week 18.
It's not unlike what occurred to the Cowboys in Week 9 against the Eagles, when Chuma Edoga was penalized for not declaring as eligible during a late-game stretch wherein Dallas was attempting to mount a fourth-quarter comeback.
It's something the Cowboys have learned from, and what happened in their win over the Lions simply reaffirms their commitment to making sure it never happens to Dallas again.
"Look at our game in Philadelphia," said head coach Mike McCarthy. "... We want to make a big deal about it because of communication … Those are mistakes that are unacceptable. That's the longest substitution you're going to have, going down to the goal line so, yeah, those are things you're always going to emphasize."
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December 30 Updates
11:45 p.m. — In the locker room after the Cowboys' 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions, Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith told reporters that he strained his plantar fascia and that he will have imaging on Sunday to determine the severity. There was confidence in from Smith that it's not a long-term issue, but obviously the playoffs and his availability for those game(s) will take precedence over next week's game against Washington.
Smith limped off the field early in the third quarter after suffering the injury on a deep shot from Dak Prescott to Brandin Cooks that fell incomplete. Smith missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury.
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5:45 p.m. — The offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys just got a major piece back against the Detroit Lions. Tyron Smith, listed as questionable with a back injury after having missed the loss in Week 16 to the Miami Dolphins, is active and cleared for Week 17.
This gives the Cowboys their full complement of starting offensive linemen for the seventh time in the last eight games, but their running back corps is down a key player — Rico Dowdle having been ruled out with an ankle issue.
Dowdle joins Johnathan Hankins on the sideline against the Lions, the latter still recovering from a high ankle sprain, but the absence of Dowdle has led to rookie halfback Deuce Vaughn being activated to the gameday roster on Saturday.
Remaining inactives for the Cowboys include Matt Waletzko, Eric Scott, Noah Igbinoghene, Asim Richards and Trey Lance — Lance serving as emergency quarterback.
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11:21 a.m. - The Cowboys added some depth at linebacker for Saturday's game with the Lions, elevating Buddy Johnson from the practice squad.
Johnson (6-2, 240) was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad in October. He's played four games in his career over the last two seasons, with stints in Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and Pittsburgh.
The Cowboys recently waived veteran Rahsaan Evans this week and are thin at the position, which includes Damone Clark, Markquese Bell and Tyrus Wheat, along with Micah Parsons, who has been more of a pass-rusher.
The Cowboys also elevated DT Carl Davis for the third time. He will provide depth in the middle of the defense with Johnathan Hankins missing another game.
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