The Dallas Cowboys’ offense has garnered all of the attention among national media and the subsection of fans who hang on every hot take, but the real know the issue over the last several weeks has been a disappointing defense. Injuries have derailed the once pace-setting unit as the club is without two of their three starting corners and multiple defensive linemen. The first replacement at corner has been really good, as rookie DaRon Bland has shown up and shown out in the slot. Once boundary corner Anthony Brown went down, in conjunction with a massively slowed pass rush, things have fallen on hard times for Dan Quinn’s unit.
Earlier on Friday, Cowboys Wire’s Reid Hanson wondered whether Dallas would be interested in moving Bland outside if second-year player Kelvin Joseph continued to struggle, and with the Week 16 practice squad elevations for Saturday’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, it appears that could be the case. Dallas is bringing up slot corner Mackensie Alexander in addition to center Brock Hoffman for the contest.
Recently claimed from Arizona, Trayvon Mullen could get a chance to play on the outside as well, but if Bland gets the opportunity then Dallas could look for Alexander to man the interior position against a Gardner Minshew-led Philly attack.
Here’s a look at the full 55-man roster Dallas will choose from for their gameday 48.
QB | No. 4 Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott looks to pass during an NFL football team practice Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
QB | No. 10 Cooper Rush
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
QB | No. 15 Will Grier
Aug 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Will Grier (15) in the pocket in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
RB | No. 21 Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) carries the ball during an NFL football training camp practice in Frisco, Texas, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
RB | No. 20 Tony Pollard
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs during an NFL football training camp in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
RB No. 34 RB Malik Davis
May 14, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys runningback Malik Davis (34) runs off the field during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
WR | No. 88 CeeDee Lamb
Aug 21, 2020; Frisco, TX, USA; CeeDee Lamb (88) of the Dallas Cowboys during training camp at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory credit: Hand out James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys/Handout photo-USA TODAY Sports
WR | No. 13 Michael Gallup
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (23) catches during a drill at NFL football practice in Frisco, Texas, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
WR | No. 85 Noah Brown
Jul 29, 2019; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Noah Brown (85) during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
No. 83 WR James Washington
Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver James Washington (83) carries the ball during…
Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver James Washington (83) carries the ball during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2 WR KaVontae Turpin
Dallas Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin celebrates as he returns a punt for a touchdown during the first…
Dallas Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin celebrates as he returns a punt for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
No. 18 WR Jalen Tolbert (Rookie)
May 14, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (18) goes through drills…
May 14, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (18) goes through drills during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
TE | No. 86 Dalton Schultz
Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz runs after making a catch in a drill at NFL…
Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz runs after making a catch in a drill at NFL football practice in Frisco, Texas, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
No. 87 TE Jake Ferguson (Rookie)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (48) goes through drills during the NFL football team’s rookie…
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (48) goes through drills during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Frisco, Texas, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
No. 89 TE Peyton Hendershot (UDFA Rookie)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot (49) runs after a reception during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Frisco, Texas, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
No. 84 TE Sean McKeon
Dallas Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon (84) shakes off a tackle attempt by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) as he sprints to the end zone after catching a pass for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov, 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
No. 73 OL Tyler Smith (First-round Rookie)
Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith (73) warms up during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Frisco, Texas, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
No. 77 OT Tyron Smith
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith watches play from the bench in the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
OT No. 71 Jason Peters
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Jason Peters (71) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
No. 75 OT Josh Ball
Aug 18, 2022; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Josh Ball (75) during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
No. 70 OG Zack Martin
Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
No. 66 OG Connor McGovern
Dallas Cowboys guard Connor McGovern (66) runs during an organized team activity at its NFL football training facility in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
No. 63 Center Tyler Biadasz
Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz (63) runs back to the line of scrimmage during an NFL football training camp in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Virginia
Nov 27, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies offensive lineman Brock Hoffman (76) celebrates after the Hokies’ game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
DE | No. 90 DeMarcus Lawrence
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) walks back to the line of scrimmage during an NFL football training camp in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
DE | No. 92 Dorance Armstrong
Nov 5, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) in action against the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
No. 56 DE Dante Fowler
Aug 4, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
No. 99 DE Chauncey Golston
Jul 27, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive ed Chauncey Golston (99) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
No. 54 DE Sam Williams (Second-round Rookie)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end (54) Sam Williams goes through drills during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Frisco, Texas, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
DT | No. 75 Osa Odighizuwa
Jun 3, 2021; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (75) goes through drills during voluntary Organized Team Activities at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 98 DT Quinton Bohanna
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (98) warms up during an NFL football practice in Frisco, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
No. 96 DT Neville Gallimore
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (96) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
No. 91 DT Carlos Watkins
Dec 19, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Carlos Watkins (91) celebrates after a defensive play against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
LB | No. 11 Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys line backer Micah Parsons (11) lines up for a drill during an NFL football team practice Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LB | No. 55 Leighton Vander Esch
Dec 15, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
No. 51 LB Anthony Barr
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Barr (51) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
No. 53 LB Damone Clark
May 14, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark (53) on the field during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 14 LB Jabril Cox
Oct 10, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is tackled by…
Oct 10, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox (14) and defensive end Chauncey Golston (59) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 57 LB Luke Gifford
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford (57) goes through drills during NFL football training camp in Frisco,…
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Luke Gifford (57) goes through drills during NFL football training camp in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
CB | No. 7 Trevon Diggs | Illness | Questionable
Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs (27) intercepts a pass against Philadelphia Eagles’ John Hightower (82) during the…
Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs (27) intercepts a pass against Philadelphia Eagles’ John Hightower (82) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
No. 1. CB Kelvin Joseph (Jersey Change)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph (1) participates in drills during a combined NFL practice at the…
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph (1) participates in drills during a combined NFL practice at the Los Angeles Rams’ practice facility in Costa Mesa, Calif. Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
No. 30 CB DaRon Bland (Fifth-Round Pick)
May 14, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (30) goes through drills during…
May 14, 2022; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (30) goes through drills during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 25 CB Nahshon Wright
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright (25) celebrates after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone…
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Nahshon Wright (25) celebrates after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
DB | No. 29 C.J. Goodwin
Aug 24, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Goodwin (29) intercepts the ball…
Aug 24, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Goodwin (29) intercepts the ball in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 37 | CB Trayvon Mullen
Sep 11, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinal cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr. watches his team…
Sep 11, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinal cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr. watches his team play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mullen was acquired in a trade from the Raiders. Nfl Cardinals Nfl Game Kansas City Chiefs At Arizona Cardinals
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings
Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander (24) celebrates during the fourth…
Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander (24) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
No. 27 Safety Jayron Kearse
Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (27) plays against the Las Vegas Raiders in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov, 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
No. 28 Safety Malik Hooker
Aug 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 6 Safety Donovan Wilson
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Donovan Wilson (6) during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Safety | No. 38 Israel Mukuamu
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Israel Mukuamu (38) grabs a pass during NFL football practice in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Safety | No. 41 Markquese Bell
Aug 26, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (41) celebrates making an interception against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No. 19 K Brett Maher
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brett Maher warms up before a preseason NFL football game Los Angeles Chargers Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
No. 5 Punter Bryan Anger
Jan 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jason Croom (81) attempts to block the punt of Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger (5) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
LS No. 45 Matt Overton
Sep 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers long snapper Matt Overton (54) leaves the field after the win over the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
