Updated by the minute, our Dallas Cowboys NFL Tracker: News and views and moves inside The Star and around the league …
MARCH 14 IRVIN CHANGE Former Cowboys WR Michael Irvin has voluntarily dismissed his $100 million lawsuit against Marriott International.
Via WFAA comes word that Irvin’s attorneys submitted a filing late Friday regarding the case in which Marriott alleged Irvin made sexual advances toward a hotel employee, causing him to be taken off the air by NFL Network and ESPN during Super Bowl Week.
NEW: Former Cowboys WR Michael Irvin voluntarily dismissed his $100 million lawsuit against Marriott in a filing by his legal team tonight
Marriott alleged Irvin made sexual advances towards a hotel employee. He was removed from NFL Network/ESPN Super Bowl coverage
(@wfaa) pic.twitter.com/uQDV8nvA7e— William Joy (@WilliamJoy) March 14, 2023
More on the background of this case here … and more to come as CowboysSI.com gathers information.
MARCH 13 MCGONE Offensive lineman Connor McGovern is the first to go.
The Cowboys’ part-time starting interior lineman was not a Dallas priority … but he is a priority for the Buffalo Bills, who are giving him a three-year deal reportedly worth as much as $23 million.
McGovern played both guard spots, and some center, and in the Dallas offense also lined McGovern up as a fullback and tight end.
But now? Assuming Tyron Smith comes back, and plays left tackle, Tyler Smith can be the left guard … making McGovern expendable at The Star.
MAR 10 BLOCKBUSTER TRADE The Chicago Bears are trading the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft to the Panthers in exchange for multiple first round picks … and it looks like it breaks down this way …
The Bears will get the No. 9 pick and the No. 61 pick in 2023, plus a 2024 first-round pick, plus a 2025 second-round pick and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Carolina will now build around the No. 1 overall pick, chosing from QBs Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson
MARCH 10 WAGS TALKS Seahawks general manager John Schneider has opened up lines of communication with perennial All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, calling their discussions “awesome” as the future Hall of Famer has been granted permission to talk to other teams from the Rams, who will release him in a cap savings maneuver when the new league year starts on March 15.
One year ago from Wednesday, the Seahawks not only traded quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos in a blockbuster deal for a king’s ransom of draft picks. Capping off the most shocking day in team history, they also jettisoned Wagner hours later, releasing him to create much-needed cap space to help offset a $26 million dead cap hit resulting from Wilson’s departure.
The Cowboys flirted with Wagner a bit, but their offer didn’t compare to the Rams. And now? He and the Seahawks seem destined for a reunion.
MARCH 9 COMP PICKS IN The Dallas Cowboys’ war chest just grew a bit more full as the team’s six selections in the 2023 NFL Draft has now grown to nine.
This year’s compensatory picks are in, as as a result of the 2022 departures of Randy Gregory, Connor Williams and Cedrick Wilson, Dallas is awarded three new selections – two in the fifth round and the other in the sixth.
So Dallas goes in the first round at 26th overall, has its own picks in the second, third and fourth, has three fifth-rounders, does not own its own one in the sixth (dealt in the Johnathan Hankins trade) but has a new sixth, and has its own in the seventh.
MARCH 7 COWBOYS GAIN ROOM
There is still a great deal of work to be done for Dallas to carve out cap room for 2023.
But the NFL just helped out.
The league had already announced the projected 2023 salary cap to be at $224.8 million. That remains true … except for specific calculations for teams (bonuses in contracts and the like) … and now we have a new Dallas number …
It’s $230.3 million.
So for a minute, the Cowboys were closer to being “under the cap” … but now comes the $10.9 million tag on Tony Pollard, pushing Dallas up and over again.
They will need to manufacture about $16 million worth of room to be cap-compliant when the NFL opens up business in mid-March.
MAR 6 DEREK CARR TO SIGN WITH SAINTS
The New Orleans Saints have their quarterback.
According to NFL Network, the Saints are nearing an agreement with former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.
Now, the NFC South will face Carr twice a year in the extremely tight NFC South. And if he helps the Saints return to contention? Carr might stand in the Cowboys’ path as well.
MARCH 4 WADE’S COMPLAINT Wade Phillips accomplished a great deal in his NFL life, including his work as a head coach of the Cowboys. But he’s now out of the NFL and working as the head coach of the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks …
And Phillips – part of a first family of football in Houston thanks to his legendary father Bum – thinks he knows why.
“I hate to say it,” said Phillips, 75, via the New York Post, “but I think it’s age.”
Phillips believes that his record as a defensive coordinator should continue to qualify him for NFL work.
“It’s hard to beat my record as a coordinator so there’s got to be another reason,” he said. “But that’s OK. I’m glad to be doing what I’m doing.”
MARCH 3 AARON RODGERS CONFLICT? Aaron Rodgers is always in conflict. But this time, the conflict is about Aaron Rodgers.
On Thursday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Carolina Panthers contacted the Green Bay Packers about a potential trade for the always-disruntled Rodgers.
Good enough. Makes sense.
Except according to Panthers beat writer Sheena Quick, it never happened.
“League source confirms that the Panthers have not contacted the Green Bay Packers about Aaron Rodgers,” Quick said.
Oh.
It’s unusual (and refreshing) for a local beat writer to muster up the courage to “fight the machine.” And almost certainly, Quick’s information comes from the Panthers, so they can have their motives just as Schefter’s source can.
Still … refreshing.
Meanwhile, Rodgers insists he won’t “drag” out the decision about when and where and why and if he’ll play in 2023.
“I don’t want to drag anybody around,” he said. “I’m answering questions about it because I got asked about it. I’m talking about it because it’s important to me. If you don’t like it and you think it’s drama, and you think I’m being a diva or whatever, then just tune it out. That’s fine, but this is my life. It’s important to me. I’ll make a decision soon enough and we’ll go down that road.”
MARCH 1 GOODELL IN TROUBLE? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s job is in part to “protect the shield.”
But did he also “protect” Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder in a scandalous manner?
That’s the new allegation as it relates to Snyder, with Goodell supposedly having signed off on a $50 million loan for Snyder in 2018 that was disputed by Washington’s minority owners. Snyder, it is alleged, took on the money without approval from the board, which represents a breach of contract in the eyes of the shareholders agreement.
As the story goes, the issue landed on the desk of Goodell … and the league did not investigate the accusations and instead made it go away … which now has some observers insisting that this is “jail time fraud” for Snyder.
The lawyers who represent more than 40 Commanders employees against Snyder, issued a strong statement in the wake of Don Van Natta Jr.’s scathing ESPN report.
“This week, not only have we seen additional damning evidence that Snyder likely engaged in illegal financial dealings and cheated other owners, but we are also reminded of the unfathomable lengths that Roger Goodell and the NFL have gone to protect him,” they said.
FEB 24 WILSON BOMBSHELL And now we know more about why so many people dislike Russell Wilson.
Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new $245 million contract) only after, according to a bombshell report this morning from The Athletic, approaching Seahawks ownership asking for the firing of head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider.
We write and speak and hear often of alleged dysfunction in the Cowboys locker room and front office … and in other NFL cities. But this?
The full story in Seattle is quite an education.
FEB 22 COWBOYS SIGN NEW KICKER The Cowboys have re-signed Tristan Vizcaino, an NFL source tells CowboysSI.com.
This is likely a sign of a move off of Brett Maher, who will become an unrestricted free agent next month. But for certain it is part of a coming “back to the drawing board” (as COO Stephen Jones put it) attempt to set up a kicking competition for 2023.
The Cowboys signed Vizcaino as an insurance policy when Maher struggled late in the season and into the postseason, when he failed on five PATs in two games.
Vizcaino, 26, played briedly for New England and Arizona last year.
For now, put him down as the inside-track guy for OTAs and beyond.
FEB 19 WILEY’S OPINION Former NFL standout Marcellus Wiley, who was a Pro Bowler who spent time with the Bills and the Cowboys, says he will not allow his daughters to compete against transgender athletes.
I have no issue with transgenders, but I do have an issue with athletes who are transgender women trying to compete against biological women. Not against the Wiley Women! 💯
Why can’t the dudes who transition to women actually empower women by competing against men? pic.twitter.com/lq8rDi48Ku
— Marcellus Wiley 🧢 (@marcelluswiley) February 18, 2023
“I have no issue with transgenders,” said Wiley, 48. “I do have an issue with athletes who are transgendered trying to participate going from a transition to a woman and now playing with the women. … I am very clear on this. You can be a transgender. You can be the homie, but I’ll be damned if a male at birth turns into a female and tries to compete against my daughters.
“Not against the Wiley women … She ain’t out there. We out.”
Wiley was a second-round pick of the Bills in 1997, starred with the Chargers for three seasons, played in Dallas in 2004 before closing his career in Jacksonville. He has made a career in media at both ESPN and FS1.
FEB 18 DINUCCI ON TV The Dallas Cowboys have moved into offseason … just in time for the XFL to try to grab some eyeballs with its season-opening slate today … Featuring Cowboys ex QB Ben DiNucci in prime time on national TV.
DiNucci was a late-round pick by Dallas a few years ago and made a cameo appearance in 2020. But now? He’s been drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons and he’s the starter in the opener.
Via the Seattle Times, DiNucci is ready to reboot.
“I’m sure Saturday when we get on the plane, it will start to feel real,” DiNucci said. “It’s been since 2020 when I started the game with the Cowboys. …”
Seattle at the DC Defenders kicks off at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
FEB 17 COWBOYS ADD 2 EX PLAYERS TO STAFF Former Cowboys defensive back Darian Thompson has been hired as the team’s assistant linebackers coach and will also work in quality control as he joins coach Mike McCarthy’s staff. Thompson, 29, played for Cowboys from 2018-2021.
Additionally, the Cowboys have hired former Vikings standout Sharrif Floyd to the defensive staff. Floyd, 31, was a first-round pick from Florida where he played under then-D-line coach Dan Quinn, now in charge of the Dallas defense.
FEB 16 REID’S FAULT? We have seen plenty of theories about why Eric Bieniemy – a candidate to become the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator – has yet to take a big step up in his career.
But this is a first, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith – irresponsibly, we say – alleging that the blockade to “EB’s” advancement is none other than …
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid?
Smith of ESPN’s First Take says it may be Reid himself who has kept Bieniemy from getting a head coaching job.
“When we think about what’s holding Eric Bieniemy back most, it’s Andy Reid,” Smith said. “Andy Reid has cost Eric Bieniemy a head coaching job in the National Football League. We don’t want to say it, but it’s true … Because even though you’re the head coach, you don’t have to call plays … But Andy Reid not only called some plays, he made sure we knew he called plays.”
Our problem with Smith’s assertion? We can virtually guarantee you he came to this conclusion without asking Reid, without asking Bieniemy, without asking – without “reporting” – via interviews or information at all.
There was a 15-minute TV segment to be filled, and by God, ESPN filled it.
Shamefully.
FEB 15 Emmitt Smith has announced the death of his father, Emmitt James Smith II.
“The man who inspired me to play the game of football has transitioned to be the Lord,” Smith said in a statement on Twitter. “I will miss your timely advice but will hold on to the things you and my first love taught me, my brothers and sisters. [Love] U Pop.”
Emmitt’s mother Mary passed away in 2016.
The man who inspired me to play the game of football has transitioned to be the lord. I will miss your timely advice but will hold on to the things you and my first love 😍 taught me, my brothers and sisters. ❤️U Pop pic.twitter.com/Cn93nBjkTM
— Emmitt Smith (@EmmittSmith22) February 15, 2023
Our thoughts are with Cowboys legend and all-time NFL leading rusher Emmitt Smith and his family.
FEB 14 NUSS TO CHARGERS Is Cooper Rush moving to the Chargers via free agency to join coordinator Kellen Moore? That’s a maybe.
But is one of Dak Prescott’s teachers in Dallas making the move? That’s a yes,
Per ESPN, the Chargers are hiring former Cowboys quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier to the same position. Nussmeier had worked under Kellen Moore since 2020 but as with Moore was not retained at The Star for 2023.
Prior to joining the Cowboys staff, Nussmeier spent three seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Florida. Even prior to that, Nussmeier spent stints in the same roles at Michigan (2014), Alabama (2012-2013), Washington (2009-2011), and Fresno State (2008).
FEB 12 DAK BOOED BY EAGLES FANS AT SUPER BOWL
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was honored pregame at Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, as the NFL’s 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year received his official hardware for the award.
But even as the Philadelphia Eagles have their focus set on the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s clear that Philly fans haven’t forgotten their deep-rooted Cowboys hate, as Prescott was showered with thunderous boos from the crowd.
He laughed it off.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott receiving the Walter Payton Man of the Year award before the Super Bowl in Arizona. Eagles fans booing him.
Dak laughs: “Philly fans.” pic.twitter.com/3R8Ofjon5X
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 12, 2023
The Eagles struck first to take a 7-0 lead but Kansas City responded to tie things up midway through the first quarter.
FEB 12 SUPER BOWL PREVIEW! The NFL season wraps up as Patrick Mahomes (with his Texas ties) and the Kansas City Chiefs aim for their second title in four years as they face Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles (no friends of the Cowboys!) …
And how will Cowboys Nation view this Super Bowl?
The Eagles held the league’s best record for most of the season and made quick work of the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers en route to Arizona.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs had some bumps and bruises as Mahomes sprained his ankle in a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, the team pulled out a gutsy win in the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals, who beat them in the title game the year prior.
Who: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
When: Sun., Feb. 12
Time: 5:30 p.m. CT
TV: FOX
Stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Point spread: Eagles (-1.5) | Chiefs (+1.5)
Total: 51 points
Moneyline: Philadelphia Eagles -118 | Kansas City Chiefs +100
FEB 10 KINGSBURY BACK? Reports indicate that former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is in Houston to discuss a position on DeMeco Ryans’ staff with the Texans.
Per sources, former Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is in Houston today, speaking to the Texans about a job on DeMeco Ryans’ coaching staff.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 10, 2023
The Texans’ offensive coordinator position is open, and that’s presumably what Kingsbury would be targeted for.
FEB 8 NEW RIVAL The sale of the Washington Commanders by the embattled Dan Snyder could reportedly be happening … soon.
Per FOX Business’ Charles Gasparino, his sources say the sale of the Commanders will take place “weeks after” the Super Bowl, maybe as part of the NFL owners meetings in March … with many observers still believing that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – who does not have a fan in Snyder – will eventually prevail as the new owner.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has long been a mentor and friend to Snyder … but it sounds like Jerry will soon have a new billionaire buddy.
In fact, years ago, when Bezos was involved in a rumored Seattle Seahawks bid, Jones’ enthusiasm for Bezos was such that Jerry said, “I’d carry him piggyback to get him into the NFL.”
How’s your 80-year-old back holding up, Mr. Jones?
FEB 4 IT’S SCHOTT As expected, the Cowboys are hiring Brian Schottenheimer as the offensive coordinator, promoting him in-house from his 2022 job as a special assistant on head coach Mike McCarthy’s staff, to replace the departed Kellen Moore.
Here’s what McCarthy is saying about the move: “I am very happy to have Brian take on this key role with our team. He has been an important part of our staff already and has a great grasp of where we are and where we want to go …
“Brian also has an exceptionally strong foundation, history and relationships beyond his time here that translate very well into understanding what our approach to operating and executing will be for the future. This will be an exciting and efficient transition for us that I am confident will help yield the growth and results we all want and expect.”
Here’s what Schottenheimer is saying about the move: “I am thrilled and thankful for this exciting opportunity and embrace the high standards and expectations that come with this role and the Dallas Cowboys organization. Having long-standing, great respect and appreciation for Mike McCarthy as a person, a leader and a head coach makes this a very rewarding and compelling moment for me.
“The ability to win with great teammates that share the same goals, and alignment with how to reach them, makes this special for me and I am very grateful for it.”
FEB 4 3rd CANDIDATE Vikings passing game coordinator Brian Angelichio is the third candidate to interview for Dallas’ offensive coordinator opening.
ESPN reports that Angelichio interviewed for the Cowboys’ vacancy on Thursday as the Cowboys look to replace Kellen Moore, who has moved on to become the Chargers offensive coordinator.
Head coach Mike McCarthy will in 2023 serve as his own play-caller and, as we report here, will for practical purposes be his own coordinator. But the title will go to a top offensive aide. Angelichio, 50, has been the Minnesota tight ends coach as well – the position he previously held in – guess where? – Green Bay, where he worked under McCarthy.
The Cowboys have already interviewed Carolina’s Jeff Nixon and the Rams’ Thomas Brown. Long-time McCarthy associates Brian Schottenheimer and Ben McAdoo are also likely candidates.
FEB 2 RICHARD OUT A former Cowboys top aide is out of a job.
The Saints have “parted ways” with coach Kris Richard, who has the unusual setup in New Orleans as a “co-defensive coordinator.”
The Saints’ other “co-defensive coordinator,” Ryan Nielsen, was just hired for the Atlanta defensive coordinator job.
Richard, who spent three seasons as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2015-17 and was a coach and player here before that, drew some interest from the Dolphins, but the former top assistant with the Cowboys – Kris was here in 2018 and 2019, and was possibly in line as the heir to Rod Marinelli at the time – is now looking for work.
FEB 1 NEW LINE COACH While the Cowboys work through interviews to find a new coordinator to replace the ousted Kellen Moore, the selection for a new O-line coach is done.
Veteran coach Mike Solari, 68, will be replacing Joe Philbin, according to multiple reports. … and Solari has himself a resume.
First off, he’s 68. And he’s been an offensive coordinator in the NFL. But most interestingly, not only is he a “Mike McCarthy guy” … He’s also a “Tom Landry guy!”
Solari worked under McCarthy in Green Bay for time, but before that – well, way before that – he spent two years as an assistant with the Cowboys under Tom Landry back in 1987 and 1988.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently said he wanted McCarthy to coach here as long as Landry did. That’s not mathematically likely … but at least this Landry/McCarthy tie is legit.
JAN 31 SEAN PAYTON TRADED, DEMECO RYANS HIRED
The Denver Broncos are acquiring Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints as their next head coach. But not until after first trying to convince DeMeco Ryans to break his commitment to being hired by the Houston Texans.
But Ryans is taking the Houston job. And Payton, 59, who spent 15 seasons coaching the Saints and led them to nine playoff appearances, including a win in Super Bowl XLIV, is … “sloppy seconds”?
Is surely more complicated than that, as to hire Payton, the former Cowboys assistant, Denver had to give up a trade package to the Saints that includes a first-round pick.
Payton is heading to the AFC West to coach Russell Wilson and turn the Broncos around for a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and a second-round pick in next year’s draft. The Saints will also give the Broncos a 2024 third-round pick.
The Texans filling their head coach vacancy by hiring San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans – a former Texans standout player – feels like a win in Houston … with the Broncos needing to success without a couple of tops picks to get a win with Payton.
JAN 31 PANTHERS TIES Kellen Moore is gone. Head coach Mike McCarthy surely has names from his own coaching tree like Brian Schottenheimer and Ben McAdoo as top candidates to replace the Chargers-bound Moore as the Dallas offensive coordinator.
But two Carolina names are also in the news.
McCarthy, who will now become his own play-caller, will interview Panthers assistant Jeff Nixon for the coordinator job. … But apparently will not be able to lure long-time aide James Campen out of Carolina, as Campen is staying with the Panthers under new boss Frank Reich.
JAN 29 MORE CHANGES? The Cowboys and Mike McCarthy pulled the trigger, getting rid of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after falling short in the Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But with McCarthy now taking back the play-calling duties, it seems Moore’s departure isn’t the last coaching change.
Quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier will also not return to The Star, a source tells CowboysSI.com.
The 52-year-old’s time in Dallas dates back to 2018, when he was hired to be the tight ends coach under ex-coach Jason Garrett. After spending the last three seasons as the quarterbacks coach, Nussmeier is one of several coaches whose contract expired this offseason.
The replacement for Nussmeier seems to be already in the building … Scott Tolzien is currently a lower-level offensive assistant and former player for McCarthy back with the Green Bay Packers.
JAN 26 DQ STAYING The Cowboys, for the second straight season, are avoiding losing Dan Quinn to a head coaching job elsewhere. And CowboysSI.com has the scoop …
‘I’m staying with the Cowboys,” Quinn tells CowboysSI.com on Thursday afternoon, even as he’s being considered for a trio of top jobs elsewhere. “We’ve still got unfinished business at The Star!’
Quinn will remain for at least another year as the defensive coordinator on Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff. And so even though there are other changes – maybe even changes that involve offensive coordinator Kellen Moore – DQ is intact.
Quinn, as CowboysSI.com was first to report a year ago – when he similarly turned down opportunities to remain with owner Jerry Jones’ Cowboys – was offered an arrangement then that would make it financially attractive to remain here … “attractive” as in, a head coach salary to be the top assistant.
JAN 25 COWBOYS COACH CHANGES The Cowboys have started the process of remaking Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff.
Senior defensive assistant George Edwards, who worked with the Micah Parsons-led linebackers group, and running backs coach Skip Peete, who worked with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, will not be back with the club.
NFL Network is first to report.
Technically, Edwards and Peete are “out of contract,” so “fired” is not considered the appropriate word. But they are out … with a few more such moves likely.
Also gone (per ESPN): McCarthy long-time assistant Joe Philbin (offensive line) and Leon Lett, the former Cowboys standout who has been working with the D-line.
The Star-Telegram reports that top aide Rob Davis, who held the position of “assistant head coach,” is also dismissed.
Davis, Philbin and Lett were at the end of their contracts.
JAN 23 COACH VS. CAMERAMAN? The Dallas Cowboys were pushed out of the NFL playoffs on Sunday in San Francisco, the 49ers winning, 19-12.
Did coach Mike McCarthy also do some pushing?
An AP photographer snapped a photo of an unhappy coach appearing to shove a cameraman away from him – complete with McCarthy putting his hands on the lens of the media member’s equipment – as he walked off the field at Levi’s Stadium.
Was it a shove? A push? Not exactly …
Thank you to everyone that has reached out regarding the Mike McCarthy incident. I can see how the photo appeared like he pushed me but it was more of a hand to the lens. I did meet with coach McCarthy privately in his office and he did apologize. @NBCDFW #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/LuOfPVRqhq
— Noah Bullard (@noah_bullard) January 23, 2023
As veteran photojournalist Noah Bullard notes, it was really just “a hand to the lens.”
That doesn’t make it acceptable, and to McCarthy’s credit, he did invite Bullard to meet privately, at which time he offered an apology.
Nevertheless, it was a bad – if out-of-character – look for the Cowboys coach.
AN 21 COWBOYS CUT CB The Cowboys have made four roster moves ahead of the Sunday playoff game here at Francisco.
Up is cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who figures into the game plan against the 49ers.
But cut is another vet corner, Trayvon Mullen.
Meanwhile, they have also shuffled O-linemen, having elevated the versatile Aviante Collins to the 53-man roster while cutting Brock Hoffman.
JAN 19 FEHOKO HELP? The Cowboys made four roster moves ahead of Sunday’s Divisional Round matchup with the 49ers.
Dallas signed DB Sheldrick Redwine and CB Mackensie Alexander to the practice squad, while they designated to return to practice WR Simi Fehoko and LB Devin Harper. The Cowboys are looking for depth heading into Levi’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Try
JAN 19 BRADY TO D.C.? Yes, the Dallas Cowboys slayed the dragon in finally beating Tom Brady as they move on in the playoffs to San Francisco. We’re not sure, though, that means they’re excited about facing him again.
The Washington Commanders are once again looking at the veteran quarterback market. And while other free agents like Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson could be under center for the Commanders next season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Commanders are +2000 odds to be the team Brady takes his next snap with, 10th-best in the league.
Brady, 45, is an impending free agent after his contract expires with the Buccaneers, who were eliminated from the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night in a 31-14 loss.
Read more about Brady and D.C. here.
JAN 17 GAGE UPDATE Monday night was eventful in a positive way for the Dallas Cowboys … but scary for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Russell Gage.
Late in what would be Dallas’ 31-14 playoff win at Tampa, Gage left on a stretcher and was sent by ambulance the hospital to be further evaluated. He remained in the hospital overnight to undergo additional testing on his neck and has yet to be released.
But Gage himself now says via Twitter, “I’m doing great and in great spirits!”
I appreciate all of the texts, calls, thoughts and prayers you all have expressed towards my family and I. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m doing great and in great spirits!
Thank you!🙏🏾
— Russell Gage Jr. (@GageRussell) January 17, 2023
After the team released that update, Gage tweeted out an update of his own and said that he was doing “great.”
“I appreciate all of the texts, calls, thoughts, and prayers you all have expressed towards my family and I. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m doing great and in great spirits! Thank you!” Gage tweeted.
JAN 16 TOM BRADY INTERCEPTED The Cowboys know they need to win the turnover game here in Tampa in this playoff matchup … and after a Dalton Schultz TD to start the scoring, the Cowboys stole one from Tom Brady.
#Cowboys WATCH: Dalton Schultz TD Gets Dallas Up vs. Bucs, #TomBrady https://t.co/ZuzQ3Jv2xu via @DallasCowboysFN
— fishsports (@fishsports) January 17, 2023
An end-zone interception by Jayron Kearse turned the Bucs away on that end. … and then Dallas drove the length of the field for another score midway through the second period.
#TomBrady interception – #Cowboys Kearse mills drive https://t.co/XpImtdZoYw pic.twitter.com/N25pxgYPD0
— fishsports (@fishsports) January 17, 2023
The Cowboys are up after a fourth-down 1-yard Dak Prescott deceptive run for a TD.
Dak is ALL ALONE on the bootleg, Cowboys up 12-0 (sorry Maher bettors) 🤪pic.twitter.com/Ia3UPitAVl
— RotoRadar (@RotoRadar) January 17, 2023
Oddly, though, Dallas has missed both extra points.
JAN 16: RHODES READY – The Dallas Cowboys have elevated veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes to the active roster for Monday night’s NFC Wild Card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Cowboys will definitely include the recently signed Rhodes, 33, involved in some packages on defense – maybe even in a starting-level role of
JAN 16 PRO BOWLER DEBUT The Cowboys are pleased with their level of health … including that of Micah Parsons’ new baby daughter! … but for the moment, it’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have made the latest move, having activated Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen from injured reserve.
That makes him eligible for Monday night’s NFC Wild Card game here in Tampa against the Dallas Cowboys (7:15 ET, ESPN/ABC).
Jensen injured his knee at beginning of training camp and it forced him to miss all of the 2022 regular season. His return should help keep upright QB Tom Brady, 45, the least-sacked quarterback in the league … against a Dallas D with the third-most sacks in the NFL.
JAN 15 BEAS TD Josh Allen has connected with Cole Beasley for a six-yard touchdown in the Sunday AFC Wild Card game pitting the heavy-favorite Bills against the Dolphins … but it’s a battle.
Cole Beasley's first career playoff touchdown!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/wQJJWzQZyA
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 15, 2023
But, thanks to Cowboys ex Beasley – and his first career playoff TD – the Bills are back up, 27-24, with a few minutes left in the third quarter in Buffalo.
Follow the game here at Bills SI. …
JAN 14 NINERS ADVANCE The Seattle Seahawks shattered expectations this season, and they gave it their best shot to do it again against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
But the only thing that was shattered in the 41-23 season-ending loss to the Niners was the Seahawks’ hopes of securing a massive postseason upset over their divisional rival.
Seattle got a solid performance from quarterback Geno Smith, who went 25 of 35 passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He found a connection with receiver DK Metcalf, who finished with 10 catches for 136 yards and two scores. But none of it was enough to counter a big day from Niners running back Christian McCaffrey (15 carries for 119 yards with a receiving score) and rookie quarterback Brock Purdy (18 of 30 for 332 yards and three touchdowns). San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel (six grabs for 133 yards and a touchdown) was also central to the win.
The Niners will be at home next week, and depending on how the rest of the weekend turns out the Cowboys could be at San Francisco. Dallas, the No. 5 seed, needs to win at Tampa Bay on Monday, of course. And the Giants would have to win at Minnesota. New York, the No. 6 seed, would then play at No. 1 Philly, leaving Dallas at the Niners.
That would of course be a rematch of last season’s playoff opener – in which the Niners defeated Dallas at AT&T Stadium.
JAN 14 SEAHAWKS UPSET? Nothing against the Seattle Seahawks – they belong in the playoffs, no matter the weird Adam Schefter-mouthpiece campaign about “the worst refs ever!” … indeed, they’re proving they belong as at halftime at San Francisco, they are hanging with the heavily-favored 49ers, holding a 17-16 lead.
But yes, the Dallas Cowboys are watching. And hoping.
GENO TO DK FOR 50 YARDS. @Seahawks take the lead!
📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/96NMtTe9OX pic.twitter.com/tNti6PQzGR— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2023
The Cowboys are the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs. They must of course take care of their own business by winning at Tampa on Monday. But on Saturday? They are watching, knowing that lower-seed wins (Seattle is No. 6) increases the possibility of a Dallas home game later …
Not to mention the potential elimination of a more concerning foe.
No offense, Seahawks. Continued success in the second half!
JAN 13 THREE ALL-PROS Micah Parsons and Zack Martin have been selected as first-team AP All-Pros this season, with receiver CeeDee Lamb named a second-team All-Pro.
Martin has now been a first-team All-Pro and six times and has been on the All-Pro team every year of his career except for 2020 when he was injured.
Parsons has been a first-team All-Pro in both of his first two seasons.
Per @RobMaaddi, here is the AP All-Pro first- and second-teams: pic.twitter.com/fcLSuyLOHc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2023
This marks Lamb’s first All-Pro honor.
JAN 11 DAMAR CATCHING ON Does anybody in sports understand the power of marketing better than the “America’s Team” Dallas Cowboys?
Maybe not.
But Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin sure gets it.
Hamlin was officially released from Buffalo General Medical Center on Wednesday, as he continues on the road to recovery just nine days after suffering from cardiac arrest in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.
But as Hamlin begins to rehab, he’s also looking to secure ownership over a few of the phrases that became famous across the country as he began to recover.
Hamlin is applying for two trademarks on the phrases “Did We Win” and “Three is Back,” per reports Wednesday from TMZ Sports.
He also plans to use these phrases for “motivational and educational speakers in the field of self- and personal improvement” and “health care services in the nature of athletic training.”
Hamlin’s “Did We Win?”phrase was reported as being one of the first things he asked in writing one he woke up in the days following his cardiac arrest.
“Yes Damar, you won,” Dr. Timothy Pritts said. “You won the game of life.”
And now that he’s getting healthier? Hamlin looks to keep winning.
JAN 9 2023 SCHEDULE Home: The next thing the Dallas Cowboys need to do in 2023 is play at Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs.
But then, in the actual 2023 season? We’ve got the opponents lined up. to wit …
HOME – Rams, Seahawks, Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Giants, Commanders, Lions.
AWAY – Cardinals, Bills, Panthers, Chargers, Dolphins, 49ers, Eagles, Giants, Commanders.
The two jump-out points: Dallas at Buffalo and Dallas at San Francisco is marquee-matchup stuff.
JAN 7 RHODES TO DALLAS The Cowboys’ search for help at cornerback continues.
The Cowboys are signing veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes to their practice squad, per NFL Network.
Rhodes was waived by the Bills this week after signing on with Buffalo following a solid career with the Colts for the former first-rounder.
Rhodes, a three-time Pro Bowler and 2017 First-Team All-Pro selection, signed with the Bills practice squad on Sept. 28 before being activated to the 53-man roster on Nov. 26. The 32-year-old recorded statistics in two games this season, as he had two total tackles in the 31-23 win over the Cleveland Browns in Detroit on Nov. 20 before totaling two more tackles in the 24-10 Thursday night win over the New England Patriots in Foxboro.
Before joining the Bills, Rhodes played seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts after being the No. 25 overall pick out of Florida State in 2013.
Rhodes will begin on the Dallas p-squad with a chance to jump up as the team progresses toward the postseason. The Cowboys are using youngsters DaRon Bland and Nahshon Wright at the corners opposite Trevon Diggs, with a relative vet newcomer Trayvon Mullen, the Raiders-ex, possibly in the mix on Sunday at Washington.
JAN 6 HURTS ‘TRENDING’ Looks like we might expect Jalen Hurts back in the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting lineup this weekend as they play to hang onto the No. 1 seed in the NFC … with the Cowboys still giving chase.
Hurts has missed the last two games with a bum shoulder, but the Eagles need to beat the New York Giants at home on Sunday to wrap up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Should they lose, with Dallas winning?
The Cowboys jump up.
Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t flat out say today that Hurts will start this weekend, but he continued to say things are looking up.
Gardner Minshew started the last two games for the Eagles, back-to-back losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.
The Giants, meanwhile, are locked into the No. 6 playoff seed with no real incentive to risk injuries, so key starters might sit.
That game starts at 3:25 p.m. CT time on Sunday, as does Cowboys at Washington, where Dallas plans to play to win … just in case.
JAN 2 TONY POLLARD BACK Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, who missed the win at the Titans with his thigh injury, will practice on Wednesday, coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday as the team preps for the regular-season finale at Washington.
Pollard, a first-time Pro Bowler, is 12 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season as he shares backfield dues for the playoff-bound Cowboys with Ezekiel Elliott.
The Cowboys will not have Leighton Vander Esch available this week, but the Cowboys is talking about a three-starter “Welcome Back” for the playoffs. Read more here.
JAN 1 SCARY SCENE were The Eagles are experiencing problems at home today in their Week 17 matchup against the New Orleans Saints … with a Josh Sweat injury a primary concern.
Sweat, who has 11 sacks so far this season, was carried off the field against the Saints on Sunday in what is being described as a “scary scene.”
Scary scene in Philly: #Eagles Josh Sweat taken off the field on a stretcher after staying down for a long period of time. https://t.co/Y6f1kwNsI7
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2023
The cart came out for Sweat and he was placed on a stretcher and has been taken to the hospital. The team says he has “movement in all extremities.”
Meanwhile, the favored Eagles trail 13-0 as halftime approaches.
JAN 1 HURTS OUT The Dallas Cowboys did what they had to do Thursday night, as the 27-13 win over the Tennessee Titans kept their hopes alive for the NFC East title and maybe conference’s top playoff seed.
Today? More hope.
The Cowboys (12-4) realize they need help, beginning with the New Orleans Saints upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) on Sunday – and now we know that QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) will sit this one out.
Should it happen that Philly loses here, then the final week of the regular season in the NFC East will be a doozy.
“This is what the league wanted with putting the division games at the end and I think it’s awesome,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “You look around the league and I’m looking forward to watching football this weekend … so this is the way it’s supposed to be.
“We’ve just got to keep playing. The biggest thing – and obviously we want the Saints to win – is we want to line up and play for as much as we possibly can when we line up in Washington. I think that’ll be the best situation for us.”
The Eagles finish against the New York Giants, who are battling for a Wild Card spot. The Commanders also have designs on the playoffs. Should the Cowboys win at Washington and the Eagles fall in their last two, Dallas would win the division and at least host a first-round playoff game.
But if Philly clinches this week? Yes, Dallas will consider resting guys at Washington.
Conceded McCarthy: “I think I should probably answer that (question on) Monday for you.”
DEC 31 COWBOYS WATCHING Saints at Eagles matters to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 … and the status of Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurts are therefore worth watching as well.
Hurts is listed as “doubtful,” meaning it is likely that Philly will again use Gardner Minshew at QB as the Eagles need one win to seal the NFC East title and keep playoff-bound Dallas behind them.
Dallas is hoping the Eagles lose twice … and the banged-up Kamara can help make that happen. He wasn’t present for practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but on Friday, Saints coach Dennis Allen provided an update on his star running back.
“He’ll be ready to go this weekend,” Allen said.
Good, the Cowboys might say in reply.
