NOV 28 WOODY’S TURN? It has become a source of Cowboys Nation frustration, even though it should be a source of joy. And maybe this time – Darren Woodson’s eighth time – the Hall of Fame voters will make it so.

The Hall has announced its list of modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2024, and Woodson is among 25 players to reach this stage from a group pared down from 173 nominees. Woodson has now been a semifinalist eight times, but was a finalist last year – a sign of progress for the all-time great Cowboy, who during his 12-year career here became the franchise’s all-time leading tackler, a four-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time Super Bowl champ.

Other name players who advanced include Tiki Barber, Antonio Gates, Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, Devin Hester, and Steve Smith Sr.

The Class of 2024 will be announced during Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas in early February.

Other name players who advanced include Tiki Barber, Antonio Gates, Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, Devin Hester, and Steve Smith Sr.

The Class of 2024 will be announced during Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas in early February.

Witten returned to The Star in Frisco on Saturday for the semifinal round of the TAPPS Division II high school state playoffs. With his sons Cooper and CJ in tow, Witten guided Liberty Christian to a 45-17 victory over All Saints, allowing them advancement into the championship round in Waco

“As a family, this is years that we know we’re not going to get back,” the elder Witten said of coaching his sons, per Bill Jones of CBS News Texas. “We cherish every moment, certainly Friday nights … We got a long way to go before we get (to a championship) but that’d be pretty exciting.”

Liberty Christian, stationed in Argyle, will face Regents for the state title on Friday night.

NOV 24 DEL RIO FIRED After yet another embarrassing performance by the Commanders defense – this time to division rival Dallas – Washington has fired its defensive coordinator, Jack Del Rio according to multiple reports.

The Commanders just suffered an embarrassing 45-10 loss to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Washington has also fired its defensive back coach Brent Vieselmeyer. Del Rio was in his fourth season as the DC in Washington and has faced criticism throughout much of his tenure.

Head coach Ron Rivera has always backed Del Rio, but now, with Rivera’s own job on the line, decided to make the move. Rivera, who is also a defensive coach, will likely handle the defensive playcalling moving forward.

Del Rio played for the Cowboys from 1989-1991 and served previously as the head coach of the Raiders for three seasons and head coach of the Jaguars for nine.

NOV 23 WILEY ACCUSED Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman and media personality Marcellus Wiley has been accused of sexual assault by a former college classmate.

The alleged victim, now an Ivy League professor, filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court accusing Wiley, 48, of attacking and raping her in the fall of 1994, when they were students at Columbia University.

“[Wiley’s] actions were intentionally designed to cause plaintiff severe emotional distress or were taken with reckless disregard of the significant and/or substantial probability of causing plaintiff severe emotional distress,” the lawsuit states.

Wednesday night, Wiley responded to the accusations, using his podcast to admit to “messing around” while vehemently claiming innocence.

NOV 20 CEEDEE OK? On the one hand, hey, it’s only Monday. It’s early in the week. So injury concerns aren’t too concerning, right?

Oh, wait. On the other hand, it’s Thanksgiving Week. … and the crunch of games means that the Cowboys, fresh off their win Sunday at Charlotte, get a chance to do it again, right away … and the guys on the Monday injury list have to find a way to hustle along a path of readiness.

But for now, as it’ll be the Cowboys vs. the Commanders on Thursday? Lamb (ankle) is one of four key Dallas guys on the injury list. He’s joined by tackle Terence Steele (ankle), safety Jayron Kearse (back) and running back Rico Dowdle (ankle), all of whom are surely planning to “rub some dirt on it” and play on Thursday.

We say that’s four issues to be monitored, even as coach Mike McCarthy on Monday afternoon said the Lamb issue is “not of high concern because it’s Monday.”

Indeed … but it’s a “Monday that’s like a Thursday” due to the short week. So … something to watch.

NOV 19 CEEDEE TD It has been a slower start compared to recent weeks for the Dallas Cowboys. However, right before halftime, Dak Prescott was able to find his top target, CeeDee Lamb, to extend the Cowboys lead to 17-3 over the Carolina Panthers.

After coming into Charlotte on the back of three consecutive games with over 150 yards receiving, Lamb has been held rather quiet by the Panthers in the first-half, only totaling 20 yards and a touchdown on three catches.

NOV 19 SCHOONMAKER TD The Dallas Cowboys have taken a 7-0 lead in Charlotte as Dak Prescott capped off a 10-play, 83-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker.

It is just the second touchdown of the season for the rookie tight end, who was selected in the second-round of the NFL Draft by the Cowboys out of Michigan.

NOV 16 DALLAS SIGNS DT Carl Davis, a former 2015 third-round pick who began with the Ravens and has played for six NFL teams, has been signed to the Dallas practice squad.

Davis is a 1-technique big body – the Iowa product is 6-5 and 335 – who could provide backup help at position behind Johnathan Hankins and Mazi Smith.

Davis has made 19 career starts in 72 games.

NOV 15 CEEDEE WINS CeeDee Lamb has won the Week 10 NFL award for “NFC Offensive Player of the Week.”

Lamb had 11 catches for 151 yards with a touchdown catch and added a rushing TD in the Cowboys’ 48-17 win over the Giants. In doing so, he became the first player in NFL history to have three straight games of at least 10 catches for 150-plus yards.

Lamb totaled 11 catches for 191 yards last week at Philadelphia and had 12 catches for 158 yards against the Rams the week before that.

After the game, Lamb seemed to have proclaimed himself “the top receiver in the game.” And at this point? Who’s arguing? But …

CeeDee noted on Wednesday that was he actually said was that he’s “a top receiver.” Good to know, and again … Who’s arguing?

After the game, Lamb seemed to have proclaimed himself “the top receiver in the game.” And at this point? Who’s arguing? But …

CeeDee noted on Wednesday that was he actually said was that he’s “a top receiver.” Good to know, and again … Who’s arguing?

As is tradition, the Cowboys will partake in the middle game of the Thanksgiving set: fellow Turkey Day mainstay Detroit will host Green Bay in the opener while the event closes with the Seattle Seahawks facing the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the 11th meeting between Dallas and Washington on Thanksgiving, as the Commanders franchise has been the most common Cowboy opponent in the holiday slot. Dallas has gone 8-2 in the prior 10 meetings.

NOV 13 MORE DIGGS DRAMA Frankly, the last thing Bills receiver Stefon Diggs needs is to be a part of any more drama in Buffalo, where a supposed Super Bowl contender is now a 5-5 team after an embarrassing Monday night 24-22 home loss to the Broncos smiling in which Diggs had just three catches for 34 yards on five targets.

The Bills could do nothing right here, and at game’s end, Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, sent a very public message to his brother, Stefon, and to the world: “Man 14 Gotta get up out of there.”

This is not the Diggs brothers’ first rodeo. Stefon has been displeased in Buffalo before, and Trevon, presently injured and out for the year for the 6-3 Cowboys, has called for him to be traded to Dallas before.

Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs Trade Push for Stefon: April Fools?
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That is, as we have detailed often, has been rather impractical, cap-wise – and now, the trade deadline having passed, it’s now rather impossible … until next offseason, anyway, when this $27 million APY receiver could in theory engineer his way out of Buffalo.

But for now? The Bills didn’t use Stefon in a way to help them win … and honestly, Trevon’s contributions to the drama don’t help their cause much.

NOV 12 GEORGE W’s LAUGH Those who know former President George W. Bush personally, as so many in his home base of Dallas do, swear by his sense of humor. And “George W.” put that on display Sunday as he and former First Lady Laura Bush made their way to the 50-yard line at AT&T Stadium for the coin flip before the Giants at Cowboys game.

Problem: Mr. Bush flipped the coin before either team had made its “heads-or-tails” decision. The Giants got a mulligan and chose “tails” … and Mr. and Mrs. Bush shared a good laugh on national TV and on Veterans Day weekend.

NOV 9 TYRON & TURPIN Tyron Smith is dealing with an illness for the second straight day on Thursday due to an illness … though he did work off to the side in the indoor session here at The Star.

Meanwhile, receiver KaVontae Turpin was not participating during the media-open portion of this practice as he is dealing with a shoulder issue.

As the Cowboys continued preparation for Sunday’s visit from the Giants, rookie Deuce Vaughn handled returns in the workout. … though Dallas is hopeful that Turpin will join Tyron in playing on Sunday.

NOV 7 COWBOYS FAVORED FAVORITE IN WEEK 10 LINES The Dallas Cowboys’ latest heartbreaking defeat did little to dissuade the oddsmakers from favoring their Week 10 fortunes: per FanDuel’s opening lines for next week’s NFL action, bets on the Cowboys in Sunday’s divisional duel with the New York Giants (3:25 CT p.m., Fox) will take 16.5 points away. That’s the largest opening spread for the Week 10 games and the largest the woebegone Giants have faced so far this season.

How high will the line move? The QB situation might tell us …

Even with Dallas rebounding from a disappointing visit to Philadelphia, it’s not hard to see why the oddsmakers expect them to bash Big Blue: the reeling Giants (2-7) are not only coming off an ugly three-possession defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders but they just learned that franchise quarterback Daniel Jones for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, forcing them to turn to third-string passer Tommy DeVito.

Dallas (5-3) is looking for its third consecutive sweep of the yearly pair with the Giants, having previously dealt them a 40-point shutout on opening weekend.

NOV 5 GOAL-LINE FAILURE

Dak Prescott pushed the Cowboys near the goal line in the fourth quarter with Dallas trailing 28-17 … and then came two notable plays.

On third down, Dak tried to run for the score and was flipped violently on his head short of paydirt.

And then came a TD throw that wasn’t. First the refs ruled that rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker had scored. But the call was quickly (and correctly) reversed, meaning another empty trio to the red zone for the Cowboys.

NOV 5 PHILLY SCORES FIRST The Cowboys were down 7-0 to open the Week 9 showdown at the Eagles as Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts engineered a long drive featuring a third-and-long clutch gain, a key fourth-down conversion and then an easy Kenneth Gainwell TD.

Dallas was able to answer on the following possession and converted on a 4th-and-1 throw to CeeDee Lamb followed by a shirt TD toss from Dak Prescott to Jake Ferguson.

NOV 5 TYRON ‘EXPECTATIONS’ It is with no snark and only a little cynicism that we say in reaction to the Cowboys’ Sunday morning feeling that the oft-injured Tyron Smith is “expected to play’ today at the Philadelphia Eagles …

We’re just going to wait and see, OK?

The future Hall of Fame tackle is dealing with a neck injury that essentially kept him out of full practices in recent days. Someone inside The Star floated the notion that it’s “just a stinger.” Another leak suggested its a “flare up” of an old injury.

There is talk of Tyron wearing a neck roll and there has been preparation for other linemen this week (including Chuma Edoga, who himself is fighting through an ankle problem) … and … again – it’s a late-afternoon kickoff and we’re just going to wait and see, OK?

Dallas Cowboys at Eagles: 5 Keys to Win, Tyron Smith Injury & Inactives
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And now we know. Tyron is active and prepared to go.

OCT. 31 49ERS TRADE FOR COMMANDERS FORMER ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Good news for the Cowboys: Their NFC East foe Washington Commanders are conducting a trade-deadline fire sale, making Dallas’ two matchups seemingly more winnable later this season. Bad news: One of Washington’s best defenders is headed to San Francisco, which could further complicate a playoff matchup against the 49ers.

Hours after dealing defensive end Montez Sweat to the Bears, the Commanders are trading former No. 2 overall draft pick Chase Young to the Niners for a third-round pick. Young was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020, but hasn’t been the same since suffering a torn ACL midway through 2021.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will be relieved to know he won’t be chased by Sweat and Young when Dallas plays the Commanders on Thanksgiving and the regular-season finale Jan. 7.

Per a report from Aaron Wilson, the 49ers waived former Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown to make room for Young on their 53-man roster.

OCT. 30 AUBREY AND WILL MCCLAY SPECIAL FOOT SHAKE

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey and vice president of player personnel Will McClay have a special hand/foot shake. After Aubrey went two-for-two on field goals, including a career-high 58 yarder, he and McClay showed off a nifty hand shake as they walked to the Cowboys locker room.

The Cowboys beat the Los Angeles Rams, 43-20 and Aubrey remains perfect. Aubrey is 18-for-18 on the season, tying Travis Coons for the most field goals made without a miss to start an NFL career:

Next up, the Cowboys travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in an NFC East division showdown.

OCT. 29 COOKS FINDS THE ENDZONE To potentially put the dagger in another dominant display from the Cowboys, Dak Prescott threw his fourth and final touchdown of the day with a 25-yard completion to Brandin Cooks.

With the Cowboys up 43-17 in the fourth quarter, the touchdown pass to Cooks was the last play of the day for Prescott as his backup, Cooper Rush, came off the bench for the following drive.

OCT. 29 BLAND PICK-SIX For the third time this season, second-year cornerback DaRon Bland found the endzone versus the Los Angeles Rams as he intercepted Matthew Stafford’s pass intended for Cooper Kupp.

Bland also recorded pick-sixes in the Cowboys wins over the New York Giants and New England Patriots. The Cowboys now lead the Rams 17-3 in the second quarter. For more live updates, follow along HERE!

OCT. 29 PRESCOTT FINDS FERGUSON The beginning of the Cowboys’ first drive looked like something out of a Halloween horror movie as Dak Prescott was sacked three times before an illegal contact penalty gifted them new life.

Following the rough start, the Cowboys passing game got going as Prescott completed six of his seven passes for 77 yards, which included an 18-yard touchdown pass to his tight end, Jake Ferguson, to give Dallas an early 7-0 lead.

OCT 27 DARON BLAND LISTS HIS FOOTBALL INSPIRATIONS As DaRon Bland continues to work through an unexpected thrust into the Dallas spotlight, he listed his gridiron inspirations as his team prepares for a Sunday showdown with the Los Angeles Rams (12 p.m. CT, Fox). While Bland is replacing the injured Trevon Diggs in the secondary, he said that the two-time Pro Bowler lingers as one of his primary persuasions.

“I always talk to Trevon,” Bland said. “He’s been talking about honing in on the technique. (Stephon Gilmore) is always saying one play at a time. That’s always our mindset going into games.”

Bland, working through his second season out of Fresno State, also thanked his family for the impact they’ve had on his well-traveled career. Their help has been the guiding difference in working through this unexpectedly busy season.

“My parents and my family just always made sure, whenever the opportunity comes, just be ready,” Bland declared. “Nobody in my family ever let me be complacent or be still. I’m always trying to be better.”

“Better” will be helpful here at AT&T Stadium on Sunday as the Rams – featuring receivers Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua – will provide Bland and the Cowboys their latest test.

OCT 25 JERRY JONES OFFERS SUPPORT FOR WORLD SERIES-BOUND RANGERS Like a good neighbor, Jerry Jones is there.

Jones offered congratulations to the Texas Rangers, the Cowboys’ fellow Arlington residents after the team will play for its first World Series after shockingly taking an all-Texas American League Championship Series from the Houston Astros.

The Cowboys owner acknowledged that fans of America’s Team might be perplexed to see him pulling for the Rangers, who have reached the Fall Classic three times since the last time his group reached the NFC title game, but he’ll still be pulling for those of the bracketed “T.”

“I think it’s an appreciation for how hard it is to do,” Jones said in an appearance on KRLD-FM. “Our fans might think differently about it … When you have this kind of interest in sports, it lifts all boats. There’s no question that it’s a lift to my town against your town. Dallas, the entire North Texas area against the whole country, and that’s alive and well with this great World Series that we’ve got coming up here.”

“If you’re in my shoes, if you looked around at sports in general and thought any team or any sport was excelling, and that gave you too much of a competitive jealousy, then you’d stay jealous all the time. The point of that is, it’s exciting to see what happens when it comes together. It’s hard, it’s rare. When it does come together, you need to celebrate it, and, boy, this needs celebrating.”

Texas opened the playoffs with sweeps of the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles before disposing of the Astros in seven games. Opening night of the World Series will be staged on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field (7:03 p.m. CT, Fox).

OCT 23 ‘STOP PLAYING!’ LEBRON MAULS COWBOYS IN MADDEN NBA star and former Dallas Cowboys fan LeBron James revealed that there’s no love lost for the franchise, at least the digital version, on his Instagram story.

James, who rescinded his support of the franchise after ripping owner Jerry Jones’ stance on players kneeling during the national anthem, took on the role of the Cowboys’ recurring enemy, the San Francisco 49ers, on an Xbox system in a photo posted on Monday. On his screen, the 49ers lead the Cowboys 52-0 by the end of the third quarter at pixelated AT&T Stadium.

“Man stop playing with me!” James declares in a caption, which is also heralded with a smiling excrement emoji.

James’ simulation, alas for the remaining Dallas fans, wasn’t far off from the way the most recent meeting between the two teams went, as the 49ers dismantled the Cowboys by a 42-10 final in Santa Clara three weeks ago. Fortunately for digitized Dallas, James will be a bit busy on Tuesday night: his Los Angeles Lakers are set to tip-off the 2023-24 NBA season against the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals (6:30 p.m. CT, TNT).

OCT 22 DAK’S DATE The Troubadour Festival in Celina was the place on Saturday, with country music superstar Chris Young headlining … and with Young’s buddy Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys in the house – with his new sweetheart Sarah Jane Ramos.

Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos

CowboysSI.com was there (of course!) as Dak posed for photos with some of the celebs and some of the fans as well … with Sarah Jane then posting photos of the couple on social media.

Get to know more about Sarah Jane and Dak by clicking here.

OCT. 20 GIANTS, BEASLEY PART WAYS – Per NFL Network,  and the Giants have mutually agreed to part ways. Beasley, 34, had been on the practice squad all season.

The SMU alum and Houston native spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career (2012-18) with the Cowboys, amassing 3,271 yards on 319 receptions, 23 of which went for scores.

He later earned All-Pro honors with the Buffalo Bills in 2020.

OCT 19 INTERNATIONAL FLAGS You’ll see some changes to some NFL helmets around the league for Weeks 7 and 8. Hundreds of players will add flag decals to their helmets representing the countries of their heritage.

The league has announced more than 330 players have committed to participate, representing 72 nations, with Nigeria being the most-represented foreign country, with 80 players committing to wear the Nigerian flag.

OCT 16 DOLLY, DAK, & DALLAS! PARTON GETS HALFTIME SHOW Dolly Parton will be working beyond “9 to 5” this Thanksgiving.

The Dallas Cowboys announced on Monday that the lauded singer/songwriter will headline the halftime show at their annual Thanksgiving game. Parton appeared in a video with the Cowboys Cheerleaders to make the reveal. The halftime show on the fourth Thursday in November is done in conjunction with the Salvation Army, as i stands to serve as the unofficial opening of its famous Red Kettle campaign that surfaces during the Christmas season. Previous performers of the Thanksgiving halftime show, which debuted in 1997, include Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Kenny Chesney, and the famed showing from Creed in 2001.

This time around, the Cowboys will face the Washington Commanders in their annual holiday haunt.

OCT 14 COWBOYS COLOR RUSH The Cowboys are at the end of this week practicing in white helmets to get them ready for “Monday Night Football.”

The team will be in their “Color Rush” all-white uniforms – complete with the snazzy white helmets and white face masks – on Monday against the Chargers in LA.

Color Rush

It’s odd to some that “Color Rush” for the Cowboys actually means “an absence of color.” But the kids apparently think it’s cool.

OCT 13 JERRY JONES TURNS 81 Jerry Jones is entering his Terrell Owens/Rocket Ismail year.

The tenured owner of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his 81st birthday on Friday and his 24th since purchasing the team back in 1989. Jones’ tenure continues to serve as a rollercoaster but there is no denying the business impact he has had on the team, which continues to surge in popularity in terms of views and online discussions. In his tenure, Jones has also partly overseen three Super Bowl championship efforts and the opening of both AT&T Stadium and The Star training facility in Arlington and Frisco respectively.

Dallas has had a game on Jones’ birthday on seven occasions since he took over, posting a 4-3 record in such contests.

OCT 11 POST MALONE, COWBOYS UNITE FOR TASTY TRIBUTE The Dallas Cowboys are embarking on a new kind of run game along with Grapevine-raised rapper Post Malone.

A Dallas-based Raising Cane’s fast food restaurant will serve as a joint tribute to the accomplishments of both the Cowboys and Malone, respective winners of five Super Bowls and three American Music Awards. Drive-thru customers will place their order under an illuminated 32-foot structure made to resemble the Cowboys’ famous star emblem.

“We’re very proud to be part of this innovative new store and concept,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a release. “Seeing that big Cowboys star in position to greet everyone will be a great reminder and reflection of how much we value and celebrate our continued collaboration.”

Pairing Malone with the Cowboys is perhaps ironic with the former’s family, as his father Richard Post has served as the team’s manager of concessions.

OCT 10 BB OUT, DQ IN? It’s his 24th season at the helm of the New England Patriots, but it’s not going well for Bill Belichick. “Fire Bill!” is a social media thing, as fresh off their first loss of at least 35 points since 1993 (to the Cowboys) Belichick and the Patriots did it again, as the New Orleans Saints put up a 34-point shutout in the early portions of the NFL’s Week 5 action.

And so along comes our guys at PatriotsCountry.com at SI, with a list of possible BB successors. And on that list? DQ – that would be Dan Quinn, the Cowboys defensive coordinator. Read more here.

OCT 9 COWBOYS, 49ERS FANS GET ENGAGED AFTER SNF DEBACLE Matchups between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have routinely had rings on the line. One couple brought the concept to the regular season.

Shortly after San Francisco’s 42-10 battering, NBC cameras caught a male 49ers fan successfully proposing to a female Cowboys fan, a happening that earned humorous commentary from analyst Cris Collinsworth at the end of the broadcast.

“Would he have done it if the Cowboys had won? I don’t think so!” Collinsworth happily declared to play-by-play man Mike Tirico. “You can’t start a marriage like that, with her having the upper hand. But 49ers win, ‘Here you go, let’s get married.'”

The two fans were respectively clad in Dak Prescott and Christian McCaffrey replica jerseys in sharing their special moment.

Cowboys contests have been uncannily common places for families, particularly those who root for dueling squads, to lay down their foundations in recent weeks: last week’s win over New England saw a female Cowboys fan go into labor before she gave birth at a nearby hospital with her Patriots-supporting husband by her side.

OCT. 5 FORMER COWBOY, ‘HARD KNOCKS’ STAR ARRESTED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY – Former Dallas Cowboy Dwayne Missouri has been arrested over animal cruelty and is said to have allegedly left a puppy in a 100-degree storage unit in Helotes. According to arrest reports obtained by CBS Austin, police were dispatched to a unit owned by Missouri on June 20 and found the dog in the non-climate-controlled unit along with clothes and shoes. The dog survived and is now in the custody of Helotes Animal Control.

Missouri, 44, played two regular season games with the Cowboys during the 2001 season. He is perhaps best known for his starring turn on the original edition of the NFL/HBO training camp docudrama “Hard Knocks” as his attempt to make the defending champion Baltimore Ravens’ roster served as one of the subplots for the debut showing. Missouri previously played high school football with Theodore Roosevelt High School in San Antonio.

OCT. 3 PARSONS PRAISES EAGLES’ ‘TUSH PUSH’ – Dallas Cowboys defender Micah Parsons has taken a side in the debate surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push” play, claiming that it’d be “sucker-ish” for the NFL to take any action to outright ban it.

“We just have to deal with it, we have to adjust, we have to prepare to stop it,” Parsons said on his Bleacher Report podcast. “It’s not up to the league to say, ‘Hey, just because you can’t stop it, we have to take it away.’ No, we have to get better, we have to get stronger up front and we have to stop it.”

In the wake of the Eagles’ success with the play, which involves backfield blockers pushing Jalen Hurts across the goal line or first down marker, Parsons noted that the Cowboys were able to stop an imitated effort from the New England Patriots during Sunday’s 38-3 victory. Parsons said that the power of the Philadelphia offensive line allows them to pull off perfect pushes.

“It’s all about who you have,” Parsons said. The Eagles have the best o-line in the game, so yes it’s a cheat code, they’re unstoppable at it.”

Parsons and the Cowboys will have their first chance to stop Hurts’ gambit on Nov. 5 when the teams do battle at Lincoln Financial Field.

OCT 1 DAK AND JERRY ARRIVE The Dallas Cowboys are rolling into AT&T Stadium today for Week 4 … and Dak Prescott and Jerry Jones have just arrived in style for the visit from the Patriots.

First, the Cowboys owner Jones did it his way, via helicopter – or “Air Jer”’, as we like to call it …

And then QB Dak arrived and showed himself to be “a man of the people” as he headed to the home team locker room …

All in preparation for today’s 3:25 p.m. kickoff here in Arlington.

SEPT 29 PARSONS PLEADS JETS TO STICK WITH ZACH WILSON Micah Parsons is standing up for a fellow draft cat from the same collegiate litter.

Parsons, formerly of the Penn State Nitanny Lions, begged the New York Jets to stick with BYU Cougars alum and 2021 draft classmate Zach Wilson on the latest episode of his Bleacher Report web series “The Edge with Micah Parsons.” Wilson, the second overall pick chosen 10 slots prior to Parsons, has failed to pick up the New York Jets’ offensive slack since stepping in for the injured Aaron Rodgers, leading to many imploring Gang Green to seek help from elsewhere. Parsons, however, preached patience and called the Jets to support their embattled teammate under center.

This isn’t a walk-in-the-park job. There are only 32 starting jobs in the NFL for a reason. Defensive ends, you can be rotatable,” Parsons noted. “Quarterback is one of the hardest positions in the NFL and you expect a third-year guy who got benched last year…? His team needs to give back to him and pour into him so he can be the guy they want him to be.”

Micah did offer a but: “And if they can’t, there’s a bunch of free agent guys.”

Parsons got to know Wilson on a personal basis during the Jets’ Week 2 visit to AT&T Stadium, as he earned two sacks and four further hits on the No. 2 pick in a 30-10 Dallas victory. The road gets no easier for Wilson and the Jets (1-2), who face the Kansas City Chiefs at home in this week’s Sunday nighter (7:20 p.m. CT, NBC).

SEPT 28 JOHNSTON’S USFL CONFIRMS XFL MERGER PLAN The war for spring football is on pace for a peaceful resolution: the United States Football League, headed by president and ex-Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston formally announced its intentions to seek a merger with the XFL. The rebooted leagues ran concurrently for several weeks last spring.

“Subject to customary regulatory approvals and if the transaction is consummated, the new league will establish best-in-class operations based on the most recent seasons of both leagues,” a statement from the USFL reads. “This historic combination will anchor professional spring football with substantial capabilities and resources to ensure future growth and continue to enhance the development of the collective players, coaches, and staff that are coming together.”

Further developments, such as the league’s new name and the retained teams, will be announced at a later date.

SEPT 26 EX COWBOYS MOVE – SEAHAWKS TO SIGN TAVON? Amid all their injury issues, the Seattle Seahawks could be showing interest in making some additions to the roster via free agency.

The Seahawks hosted workouts Tuesday featuring veteran receiver Tavon Austin, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys. Also in the session: running back Darrell Henderson along with former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown, former New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor, and former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Cody White.

Austin and Henderson are the most significant names among the group. Austin, a former first-round pick by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2013, played against the Seahawks multiple times in the NFC West.

The same goes for Henderson, who the Rams took in the third-round of the 2019 draft. He won a Super Bowl with L.A. in 2021.

The Seahawks could add a few of these players to the practice squad or the active roster ahead of Monday’s game against the New York Giants, but that remains to be seen.

SEPT 25 KEN GRIFFEY JR. PHOTOGRAPHS COWBOYS-CARDINALS GAME Ken Griffey Jr. has gone from wearing red to filming red: the MLB legend’s latest post-retirement venture took him to Glendale on Sunday, as he was one of several photographers on hand to document the Dallas Cowboys’ shocking 28-16 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals.

A former outfielder, the 53-year-old Griffey has ventured into a new kind of “catching” industry. Griffey was previously seen snapping photos at high-profile events like the Fiesta Bowl, MLB’s Home Run Derby, and Lionel Messi’s MLS debut with Inter Miami. As if his Hall-of-Fame resume wasn’t enough, Griffey likely had no issue getting sideline access for Sunday’s game: his son Trey, a former receiver who played with the University of Arizona, is part of the Cardinals’ community relations department, listed as a “youth football manager.”

SEPT 23 USHER AT SUPER BOWL Dallas native Usher will be the headlining performer at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime show, it was announced on Sunday.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” said Usher. “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

The game takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 11, 2024, and is airing on CBS.

SEPT 18 RYAN CLARK APOLOGIZES TO COWBOYS MCCARTHY The Cowboys’ first two showings of the 2023 season will likely have some observers eating crow. ESPN’s Ryan Clark ordered one of the first servings during Monday’s edition of “Get Up!,” offering apologies to both the team and head coach/newly-installed offensive playcaller Mike McCarthy.

“Mike McCarthy, I apologize. In the offseason, when you said some things about Kellen Moore not running the football, I thought it was fodder … The game plan was excellent,” Clark said after the Cowboys earned a 30-10 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. “Absolutely phenomenal!”

Outscoring opponents 70-10 over their first two games, Dallas is one of eight undefeated teams left in the NFL over the opening weeks of the new year. They’ll put that unbeaten mark on the line next Sunday when they face the Arizona Cardinals on the road (3:25 p.m. CT, Fox).

SEPT 17 COACH FAINTS Cowboys assistant defensive line coach Sharrif Floyd, the former Vikings star, fainted on the sideline during the Jets at Dallas game here at AT&T Stadium and has now been moved to the locker room for further medical evaluation.

Floyd did reportedly make his way to the locker room under his own power.

SEPT 17 STAR TO HOSPITAL A much-hyped college football game featuring Cowboys icon Deion Sanders is being marred by a pregame dustup and now a dirty hit on University of Colorado star cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter, who has been taken to the hospital.

Hunter took an illegal hit from Colorado State’s Henry Blackburn in the first half. Hunter, a two-way star for “Coach Prime” and the Buffs, returned to action, playing on both sides of the ball, but was eventually removed from the game by the medical staff, which thought it necessary he receive emergency treatment.

Here’s the play in which Blackburn was handed a 15-yard penalty for his hit on Hunter. …

Earlier in the nationally televised event, the two sides scuffled …

And right now, entering the fourth quarter in Boulder, CSU is trying to pull a large upset and is up 21-14.

SEPT 13 GIANT HANGOVER? It is being alleged that Giants head coach Brian Daboll hosted a “huge party” on the eve of Sunday night’s blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys. … and that one thing has to do with the other.

“I have it on good authority that Brian Daboll had a huge party at his house on Saturday night,” New York radio host Michael Kay said, (as transcribed by NJ.com). “You’re not throwing a big party if you’re about to get your butt kicked by the Cowboys … They thought that they were going to play with them and they didn’t even show up.”

It’s a heckuva story … the Giants were so cocky that they partied into the night and then lost 40-0 to Dallas?

But there’s a problem with the “party” story. It’s not true. Kay later came on the air, tail between his legs, to apologize to Daboll. Why? The “huge party” in question was for Daboll’s 6-year-old son.

“I’m really sorry to Brian Daboll, (his) family and the Giants as well,” Kay said in the third hour of the show.

In the end, the Cowboys didn’t win because of a Giants “party.” The Cowboys won, in part, because they always do. Dallas has now beaten the Giants 12 out of the last 13 times that they’ve played.

SEPT 11 CONTRACT EXTENSION Former Dallas Cowboys first-round pick and now-turned-ESPN analyst Marcus Spears continues his success off the football field as he has signed a contract extension with the major media network.

In a press release Monday, ESPN announced that not only will Spears continue to be on their programming, but he will make his debut on the “Monday Night Countdown” show ahead of the Buffalo Bills-New York Jets game that will be aired on the network as part of “Monday Night Football.”

SEPT 11 PACMAN ARRESTED Former Dallas Cowboys and NFL star Adam “Pacman” Jones is again in trouble with the law, this time having been early Monday morning at Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Police were called to assist a flight crew with an “unruly passenger” prior to takeoff of an outbound flight at around 6 a.m., according of WCPO.

Jones was booked into jail for intoxication and allegedly making terroristic threats. … a bad look at anytime but certainly also concerning to all involved on 9/11.

Jones played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos during a fine 12-year NFL career, but his off-field challenges – including suspensions, the missing of the entire 2009 season after being involved in a Las Vegas strip club shooting, an arrest for beating a man in 2021 and other airport incidents – have marred his reputation, even as he works on “The Pat McAfee Show” as an in-studio NFL analyst.

SEPT 10 POLLARD TD The Dallas Cowboys are in control through a quarter and a half in MetLife Stadium as they lead the New York Giants 26-0 following a two-yard rushing touchdown for running back Tony Pollard.

The touchdown by Pollard was set up by a second takeaway by the Cowboys’ defense. This time veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore picked off a Daniel Jones pass intended for his tight end Darren Waller.

SEPT 10 HOOKER SICK, BUT … The Dallas Cowboys going into the weekend updated their injury report for Sunday night Week 1 at the Giants … and Malik Hooker has a designation: ‘Questionable’ with an Illness.

So add him to a Dallas injury report that also includes another starting safety in Donovan Wilson (calf) and also features questions about the availability of starting office of lineman, tyron, and Tyler Smith.

Except … now that the Cowboys are here in the Big Apple? Hooker is apparently feeling better. A Twitter note suggesting he is going to play drew a response from the standout safety.

“Abolutely!” Hooker replied to the idea of him being available at New York.

SEPT 6 LAMB TALKS TO FISH ON CONTRACT EXTENSION Notes from ESPN have speculated on CeeDee Lamb’s future with the Dallas Cowboys as it relates to contract talks.

That’s one way to cover it. A better way? On Thursday, our Mike Fisher of CowboysSI.com simply asked the star wide receiver about his mindset …

Is he juggling thoughts on both the contract and the season? Nope, Lamb told Fish.

“I’m out,” Lamb said to Fish on the subject of in-season contract concerns. “I’ve got a Super Bowl to win and touchdowns to catch!”

Lamb is due to play the 2024 campaign on a $17 million fifth-year option, earned after more than satisfying the Cowboys’ requirements for the top aerial target’s spot (1,359 yards and nine scores). He’s expected to reprise that role this season, albeit with some extra assistance in the form of Brandin Cooks and rising young talents like Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks.

And speaking of “expectations,” Lamb is expecting to ascend to the very top of the NFL wideouts rankings.

I’m there,” Lamb told us, looking forward to Week 1 on Sunday in New York. “I’m there. I’ll show you.”

SEPT 5 DEPTH CHART RELEASED The Dallas Cowboys call it an “unofficial depth chart” for reasons that have always escaped us.

It might not come directly from the pen of coach Mike McCarthy, but we know the roster and we’ve seen the practices and well … it was just sent to us by the Cowboys themselves …

And that seems official enough to us! So, Cowboys Nation, there you have it!

SEPT 4 WARE’S NUMBER RETIRED AT TROY Newly-minted Pro Football Hall of Famer and Dallas Cowboys DeMarcus Ware earned another accolade over the weekend, as his No. 94 was retired by his alma mater Troy University. The honor came during Troy’s 2023 kickoff game, a 48-30 triumph over Stephen F. Austin.

“It was my stepping stone to get me to where I needed to be,” Ware said, per WDHN. “I think it was a place where I got nourished.”

Ware played four seasons with the Trojans, amassing 27.5 sacks and a program-record 55 tackles for a loss. The Cowboys then drafted the 2004 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year with the 11th pick of the ensuing draft, commencing an NFL career that proved historic.

The modern Trojans could perhaps use Ware’s services come Saturday, as they head to Manhattan to battle No. 16 Kansas City on Saturday afternoon (11 a.m. CT, FS1).

AUG 31 NEW NUMBERS Cowboys QB Trey Lance has grabbed No. 15, taking the old uniform of the departed Will Grier. And who else gets new numbers now that the 53-man roster has been formed?

Jayron Kearse, who once announced that he wanted No. 0 (as did Micah Parsons, before realizing that new jersey numbers require the player to buy the NFL’s old stock of his previous number) changed his jersey number from 27 to 1.

But wait … Kicker Brandon Aubrey was No. 1 (as was just-traded Kelvin Joseph.) But Aubrey is now No. 17.

Markquese Bell is out of 41 and has taken Jabril Cox’s (now in Washington) No. 14. Hunter Luepke is switching from 43 to 40. And Noah Igbinoghene, who comes over in the Joseph trade, gets No. 19.

AUG 30 INDY CLAIMS LAND Now former Cowboys undrafted rookie standout Isaiah Land was claimed off the waiver by the Indianapolis Colts, according to a report from The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

Land, an edge rusher out of Florida A&M, finished the preseason with five tackles, one for a loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit as he played in all three games for the Cowboys.

AUG 30 GRIER LEAVES Former Cowboys’ QB Will Grier — of whom Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said, “I’d love to have him back as a fourth quarterback” – is heading in another direction. Grier, who threw for 305 yards and ran for 45 more in his final game with Dallas, a preseason outing against the Bengals during which he knew he’d be replaced on the roster via the Trey Lance trade — is signing with the Bengals’ practice squad, per NFL Network.

AUG 27 NO. 15 Dak Prescott, a “coach for a night,” arrived for the Cowboys’ preseason finale against the Raiders dressed in tribute to No. 15 … wearing Ezekiel Elliott’s old college jersey from Ohio State.

Prescott and Elliott are best friends, having entered the league together in 2016. Zeke is now playing for the Patriots, and after wearing No. 21 in Dallas, he’s No. 15 again.

Prescott said earlier this summer, “Love that guy. Proud of him. No. 1 supporter of him no matter what.”

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ win was keyed by backup QB Will Grier, who played brilliantly while knowing he’s about to be cut in favor of new third-stringer Trey Lance, just acquired in trade from the 49ers.

And guess what number Will Grier wears?

“I love that guy to death!” Dak said as part of an emotional postgame that had Grier in tears.

Oh, and one more thing about No. 15: That’s the number Dak wore in college at Mississippi State.

AUG 25 49ERS GM JOHN LYNCH REACTS TO TREY TRADE While most of the NFL roasts the 49ers for trading a quarterback that only two years ago they gave up three first-round picks to acquire, San Francisco general manger John Lynch addressed the deal with the Cowboys during Friday night’s preseason game against the Chargers.

“We took a shot and it didn’t work out,” Lynch said. “We own that.”

The Niners salvaged something out of Lance, getting a 4th-round pick from Dallas. Lynch said his club fielded multiple offers for the quarterback.

“Dallas stepped up and really wanted him! They came after him,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a great landing spot for him. Trey’s story is still very much unwritten.”

AUG 25 TREY LANCE TRADED TO COWBOYS The Dallas Cowboys are acquiring Trey Lance in a trade for a fourth-round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This adds another layer to the Cowboys vs. 49ers rivalry, which resumes in Week 5 on Sunday Night Football.

While Dak Prescott is likely to play for the Cowboys, Lance could have a chance to get revenge on his former team.

BY MIKE FISHER
Mike Fisher – as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner – has covered the NFL since 1983 and the Dallas Cowboys since 1990. He is the author of two best-selling books on the Cowboys.