Tag: Dallas

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Cowboys to proceed with Rico Dowdle as lead RB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Looking for an infusion of energy, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday the team will move forward with Rico Dowdle as the lead running back over Ezekiel Elliott.

The public declaration of moving on from the running-back-by-committee setup confirmed what already was evident, with Dowdle making seven starts this season to two for Elliott. The former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina also leads the team in carries (83) and yards rushing (374).

“Definitely, you have to get him the ball,” McCarthy told reporters about Dowdle. “That’s my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He’s the lead back.”

Without a rushing touchdown this season, Dowdle does have three receiving TDs on 24 catches for 166 yards.

It has been a rough season for the Cowboys, who are just 3-6 and on a four-game losing streak after Sunday’s 34-6 domination by the Philadelphia Eagles. Dowdle’s 53 yards rushing against the Eagles were more than the 45 yards passing from quarterback Cooper Rush on 23 attempts.

Dowdle, 26, is in his fourth NFL season, not counting 2021, which he missed with a hip injury. He was the third-string back in 2022 and was backup to Tony Pollard last season. Elliott, drafted by the Cowboys with the No. 4 overall pick in 2016, spent seven seasons with Dallas before signing a one-year free agent deal with the New England Patriots in 2023.

In his return to the Cowboys in 2024, the 29-year-old Elliott has just 171 yards on 54 carries with two touchdowns.

Dowdle has played in 44 career games since 2020 but did not make a start until this season. He has gained 759 yards rushing with two touchdowns on 179 carries and also has 41 career receptions for 310 yards and five TDs.

The Cowboys host the Houston Texans (6-4) on Monday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Report: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott likely to have season-ending surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rather than face potential complications by letting Dak Prescott’s partially torn hamstring to heal without surgery, the Dallas Cowboys have decided the star quarterback will have a season-ending procedure, ESPN reported on Saturday.

Per the report, Prescott and the Cowboys are holding off until one more specialist offers an opinion on whether he should undergo surgery. The veteran signal-caller is expected to meet with the specialist early next week in New York. Dallas’ medical staff are on board with the surgery, which would keep him off the field for four months.

If the specialist agrees with the Cowboys’ assessment, Prescott will go under the knife on Wednesday, per the report.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday that Prescott would prefer to let the hamstring heal on its own have undergoing multiple surgeries (left shoulder, right thumb, right ankle) over the last few years.

Prescott has not been placed on injured reserve, but he will be inactive Sunday when the Cowboys (3-5) try to snap a three-game losing streak against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) because of a partial avulsion of his hamstring. ESPN reported that even without surgery, Prescott will need six to eight weeks to recover.

Prescott, 31, got hurt while scrambling during the third quarter of Dallas’ 27-21 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Cooper Rush took over at quarterback, and he will be the starter during Prescott’s absence, backed up by Trey Lance.

Players are required to miss at least the next four games when placed on injured reserve. After hosting the Eagles on Sunday and the Houston Texans on Monday, Nov. 18, Dallas plays games at the Washington Commanders on Nov. 24 and at home against the New York Giants on Thursday, Nov. 28.

Prescott, had he been placed on IR by Saturday, would have been eligible to be added back to the active roster for the home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Dec. 9.

The Cowboys did make moves on Saturday, elevating cornerback Josh Butler and wide receiver Jalen Cropper from the practice squad to the active roster.

Prescott owns the NFL’s richest contract, with a guarantee of $230 million in a deal that runs through 2030. In nine years as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, he has a 76-46 regular-season record but a 2-5 postseason record, having never guided Dallas to a conference final.

This season, Prescott has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,978 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

For his career, the three-time Pro Bowl performer has a 66.8 percent completion rate for 31,437 yards and 213 TD passes with 82 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) leaves the game with an injury against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb injures right shoulder

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has an injury to the AC joint in his right shoulder, the team said after the 27-21 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons. ESPN reported that Lamb will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Lamb, 25, played with the injury, which could be a sprain, after landing hard on his shoulder making a catch in the second quarter. He stayed in the game but again fell on the shoulder diving for a pass from Cooper Rush to the end zone with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter and Atlanta ahead 27-13.

He was in the game for a two-point conversion pass from Rush for the final points of the game with 1:28 remaining.

Lamb said after the game that he plans to play next week against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, according to media reports. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he was “hopeful” that Lamb could play next week and doesn’t believe it’s a long-term injury.

Lamb made eight catches for 47 yards on Sunday, bringing his season totals to 53 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns. He also had two carries for 15 yards against the Falcons.

Dallas selected Lamb out of Oklahoma with the 17th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Lamb has been selected to the Pro Bowl the past three seasons, and in 2023 he was voted first-team All-Pro when he had a league-high 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also rushed 14 times for 113 yards and two TDs.

He has played in 74 games (69 starts) and totaled 448 receptions for 5,805 yards and 36 TDs.

In August, he signed a four-year, $136 million contract extension includes a $38 million signing bonus and $100 million guaranteed, according to reports.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) injured in the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons (ankle) likely out vs. Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game because of a high ankle sprain, coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday.

Parsons has not practiced since injuring his ankle in the fourth quarter of the 20-15 win over the host New York Giants on Sept. 26.

The Cowboys (3-4), who visit the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday, did not place Parsons on injured reserve, which would have required missing at least four games.

Dallas has been waiting for Parsons to clear the ramp-up process through Britt Brown, the team’s associate athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation.

“(Parsons is) here. He’s in the meetings. Until they clear the return to play with Britt, I really don’t even entertain that thought,” McCarthy said Thursday. “So, he’s not quite there yet.”

Parsons, 25, was a two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection with 40.5 sacks over his first three seasons from 2021-23. He has 14 tackles and one sack in four starts this season.

“He’s an impact player,” McCarthy said on Wednesday. “Where he is in the rehab, he’s making gains each week. He’s been in every day. He’s just not ready to get into the practice format. But yeah, definitely missed him.”

The coach said Parsons would be in the rehab group at practice on Thursday and likely will be joined by cornerback Trevon Diggs, who missed practice on Wednesday with a calf injury.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a pass against Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.

Lions return to scene of painful loss to Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jared Goff could have earned the nickname “Mr. Perfect” after his last outing. The Detroit Lions quarterback completed all 18 of his pass attempts against Seattle and even caught a touchdown pass from his favorite target, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Goff had extra time to reflect on his performance as Detroit’s bye week came up early on its schedule. The Lions (3-1) next travel to Arlington, Texas, to face Dallas on Sunday.

For Goff, his NFL record-breaking performance in the 42-29 home victory over the Seahawks on Sept. 30 wasn’t an all-time best.

“There are other games that I felt like I’ve played even better,” he said. “We just had no incompletions, which is rare. I felt good, but I’ve had games where I feel even better, and things are clicking even more. I think we can get there. We can do even better and continue to improve.”

The Lions’ last trip to the Cowboys’ home stadium, on Dec. 30, 2023, was memorable in a different way. Goff completed an apparent, go-ahead two-point conversion pass to lineman Taylor Decker in the closing seconds. However, Decker was deemed to be an ineligible receiver and Detroit lost 20-19. It was a controversial ruling that left the Lions fuming at the time.

Goff said there is a revenge factor but not because of the officials’ call.

“I don’t want to dwell on something that was eight months ago or whatever. I don’t think we got screwed intentionally,” he said. “I think it was just a mistake that the officials made, and it happens. That type of stuff happens, and you move on, but no, I don’t think we take it personally. Yeah, of course I think it’s more on the lines … we haven’t beaten these guys two years in a row and that’s more in our heads of like, ‘All right, it’s time to try and stop that.’”

The Cowboys (3-2) are still looking for their first home win. They bounced back from two consecutive home defeats with tight victories over the New York Giants (20-15) and Pittsburgh Steelers (20-17)

Slowing down Goff and the versatile Detroit offense will be the key to getting that elusive home win.

“As an offense, they’re really in sync,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “Those guys have been together a couple of years now and they’re playing with a lot of confidence.”

Goff’s counterpart, Dak Prescott, threw for 352 yards against the Steelers but he didn’t rely on his top receiver, All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. Jalen Tolbert led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 20 seconds left in regulation.

Rico Dowdle sparked the running game with 87 yards on 20 carries.

“We’ve played five games and in two of them we’ve been out of balance,” McCarthy said. “We want to play with balance. The run efficiency for the last two weeks has been 55 percent, which is where you want to live. We definitely want to build off of that.”

Lamb has only two touchdown catches while averaging five receptions per game. Lions coach Dan Campbell doesn’t expect that to last.

“He’s a point of emphasis. Everything starts with this quarterback and with him,” Campbell said. “That’s what it starts with their offense, that’s what it starts with their team. And so yeah, we have got to keep him in check.”

The Lions came back from the bye week healthy. Center Frank Ragnow (pectoral), who missed the Seattle game, practiced in full on Wednesday. Defensive end Micah Parsons (ankle) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf, shoulder) were among the Cowboys players who didn’t practice.

Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), a first-team All-Pro in 2023 who has not played this season, was designated to return to practice and was a full participant, as was cornerback Trevon Diggs (ankle). Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (3) runs the ball past Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Report: Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks (infection) to miss Week 5

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys starting wide receiver Brandin Cooks will not play in Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh and could miss more time because of an infection in his right knee, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The infection followed a medical procedure Cooks had on the knee while remaining in New York after the Cowboys’ 20-15 victory over the Giants last Thursday, per ESPN.

In four starts for the Cowboys (2-2), Cooks has nine receptions on 19 targets for 91 yards and one touchdown.

He caught 54 passes for 657 yards and eight TDs in 16 games (15 starts) in his first season with Dallas in 2023.

Cooks, 31, has 693 catches for 9,364 yards and 58 scores in 152 games (139 starts) with five teams since 2014. The Houston Texans traded him to Dallas for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick and a 2024 sixth-rounder.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) lines up during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Giants gaining confidence as Cowboys look for answers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys whipped the New York Giants twice last season, including a 40-0 demolition in a primetime affair at the Meadowlands.

Dallas returns to the scene for another primetime contest against the Giants on Thursday night when the two NFC East teams meet at East Rutherford, N.J.

Dallas has won the past six meetings and 13 of the past 14 with New York, with last season’s trouncing of the Giants in the season opener the most one-sided of those contests.

The Cowboys led 26-0 before the middle of the second quarter as Giants fans booed their team all night long.

“I’m a person, every game I act like it’s the Super Bowl for me, for myself,” New York safety Jason Pinnock said Tuesday. “But, of course, you do remember. I think everybody will remember home opener being beat like that on primetime TV.”

Dallas (1-2) hasn’t been so fearsome to start this season. After defeating the Cleveland Browns in the opener, the Cowboys have been routed by the New Orleans Saints and then lost 28-25 in a misleading final score to the visiting Baltimore Ravens last weekend.

The Cowboys scored 19 unanswered fourth-quarter points to make it close, but the comeback didn’t mask the issues.

“We’ve got to get it right,” Dallas star linebacker Micah Parsons said. “You know what I’m saying? This is a winning organization. I’ll uphold that standard, but at the same time, everyone has to uphold the standard. And I think I’m confident in my faith, and I just think we’re being tested right now. I really believe we’re being tested. It has to come together. It’s humbling.”

Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence didn’t like seeing his squad trailing by 22 points at home.

“It doesn’t matter how much willpower you have at the end,” Lawrence said. “If you don’t start good, most likely you’re not gonna finish good, so the outcome is the outcome. Only thing we can do is go and review it and get better from it.”

New York (1-2) won 21-15 at Cleveland last Sunday for its first victory.

Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns for the second straight game while passing for a season-high 236 yards.

The Giants suddenly have a chance to be .500 after opening with two losses. However, the dreaded Cowboys are back in town. In last season’s other meeting, host Dallas won 49-17.

“Yeah, we don’t like losing to anybody, especially a divisional game,” Jones said. “We understand what this game means, and we’ll be ready to go.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has passed for an NFL-best 851 yards as well as four touchdowns. He also has been intercepted twice and sacked nine times.

Dallas’ run game is sagging with Rico Dowdle leading the way with 88 yards and Ezekiel Elliott contributing 62. The Cowboys rank 30th in the NFL with an average of 73.7 rushing yards per game.

Parsons, the fourth-year star, has just 12 tackles and one sack. He had 40.5 sacks over his first three seasons.

New York ranks 29th in scoring offense at 15 points per game. Jones has passed for 600 yards with rookie wideout Malik Nabers (271 yards) accumulating 45 percent of the yardage. Nabers has three touchdown receptions.

“I have confidence in all our guys,” Jones said, “and Malik’s played well, but we’ve got a lot of good receivers.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is impressed with what he has seen of Nabers.

“He has the size and the speed and the body control,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s a very exciting player when the ball’s in the air. That’s what stands out to me.”

New York cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Dru Phillips both sat out practice on Tuesday due calf injuries. Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (foot) was limited.

Dallas cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and safety Markquese Bell (ankle) both sat out Tuesday, and McCarthy termed the duo game-time decisions.

–Field Level Media

Lions tight end Sam LaPorta misses a catch in the end zone against Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.

Cowboys All-Pro CB DaRon Bland out 6-8 weeks with broken foot

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland will miss the first six to eight weeks of the season because of a stress fracture in his left foot that will require surgery, the team announced Saturday.

The Cowboys said Bland experienced discomfort in the foot on Wednesday at training camp in Oxnard, Calif. An imaging test revealed the fracture, with surgery scheduled for Monday, according to an ESPN report.

Bland, 25, led the league with nine interceptions for 209 yards, including an NFL-record five picks returned for touchdowns, in 17 games (15 starts) last season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro.

“The good news is he’ll be here for let’s say the vital games of the year,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said of Bland on the 105.3 The Fan in Dallas pregame show, according to ESPN.

Jones also said that the defensive back position is one of the strengths of the team.

“Our secondary is outstanding in personnel,” he said on the pregame show, according to ESPN.

Dallas is losing the services of one All-Pro while returning another in cornerback Trevon Diggs, who missed the last 15 games in 2023 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Diggs has been a full participant for two weeks at training camp.

The Cowboys also have veterans Jourdan Lewis and Andrew Booth as well as rookie Caelen Carson at cornerback.

Dallas selected Bland in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Bland has 123 tackles, four tackles for loss, 22 passes defensed, 14 interceptions and five returned for touchdowns in 34 career games (23 starts).

The Cowboys open their season on Sept. 8 against the host Cleveland Browns.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chiefs’ Rashee Rice suspect in alleged assault in Dallas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is connected to another police investigation in Dallas, this time an alleged assault, WFAA and the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.

Police view Rice as a suspect in an incident that took place outside a nightclub early Monday morning, according to the reports. A man allegedly hit a photographer, who was then taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rice’s attorney declined comment to the Morning News, and no charges were filed as of Tuesday evening.

The wide receiver, who grew up in the Dallas area and played for SMU, was already in trouble in the city for his connection to a six-car crash on March 30. Rice turned himself in to police several days later and faces one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.

An arrest warrant affidavit obtained by the Morning News showed that Rice was driving 119 mph before the accident. A friend and former SMU teammate, Teddy Knox, was traveling 116 mph in a separate car, and he faces the same charges as Rice.

Seven people were left with injuries, including at least one woman who sustained “serious bodily injury” and another who was stranded on the highway with her 4-year-old son for about five hours after the crash.

On April 3, Rice said he took “full responsibility” for his actions related to the crash.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) talks to the media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice takes ‘full responsibility’ for crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice met with Dallas police Wednesday and apologized on social media for his role in a weekend car accident that injured four people.

“Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday’s accident. I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities,” he posted to his Instagram story. “I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”

A Lamborghini sport utility vehicle leased by Rice was one of two speeding sports cars that authorities say caused a chain-reaction crash on a downtown Dallas highway on Saturday night.

The occupants of the Lamborghini and a Corvette left the scene without checking to see if anyone needed medical attention or providing their information, according to police.

Attorney Royce West said earlier this week that Rice is cooperating with police “and will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.”

The Chiefs and the NFL are monitoring the developing situation.

Rice, who turns 24 on April 22, grew up in the North Texas suburb of North Richland Hills and attended college in Dallas at SMU.

He recorded 79 catches and 938 yards with a team-leading seven touchdown receptions in 16 games (eight starts) after being selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He also had 26 catches for 262 yards and a score in four playoff games to help the Chiefs secure their second straight Super Bowl title.

–Field Level Media