The Cowboys expect CB Trevon Diggs to play through the questionable tag for his sprained ankle today against the Patriots, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. An active Diggs should probably be in IDP lineups. We'll confirm his status when the late-game inactives come out. Other questionable Dallas defenders: DE Randy Gregory (knee), S Damontae Kazee (hip) and S Donovan Wilson (groin).
The Cowboys expect DE Randy Gregory (knee) to play today against the Patriots. He's officially questionable, so we'll update his status when inactives come out around 3 p.m. ET.
Cowboys DE Randy Gregory is active for today's game against the Giants. He entered questionable, but HC Mike McCarthy indicated Friday that he expected Gregory to play.
Cowboys DE Randy Gregory is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants with a knee injury. HC Mike McCarthy expressed "no concern" about his availability, though, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs left Sunday's win over the Panthers. NFL.com reports he was merely dealing with back tightness, which doesn't sound like a serious issue. We'll see about his status or the Week 5 clash with the Giants.
Cowboys DE Randy Gregory (knee) is active for today's game against the Panthers. He's not a high-end IDP option but is available if he was in your plans.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers. It'll be his 3rd straight game missed with the groin injury. Fill-in Jayron Kearse sits 23rd among 131 safeties in Pro Football Focus grade and might not cede the job back to Wilson when Wilson is healthy again. DE Randy Gregory is questionable with a knee injury. He popped up on the injury report after missing practice Thursday, then put in a limited Friday workout.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson (groin) is doubtful for Monday night's game against the Eagles. That leaves Jayron Kearse to start in his place again. There's some upside to Kearse for deeper IDP leagues.
Cowboys S Damontae Kazee (thigh) is active for today’s game against the Chargers.
The Cowboys have downgraded S Donovan Wilson to out for today's game against the Chargers. He did not travel with the team because of the groin injury that originally rendered him questionable. Malik Hooker is expected to make his Dallas debut and play in Wilson's place. Damontee Kazee is the better bet for IDP production but brings his own risk. Kazee is questionable with his own thigh injury.
The Cowboys will "essentially" move LB Micah Parsons to DE starting today against the Chargers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The shift comes out of need, as Dallas lost DE Randy Gregory (COVID list) and DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot fracture) over the past week. As a result, LB Leighton Vander Esch "should stay on the field in all packages, along with Keanu Neal," Rapoport reports. Neal could see more snaps at safety this week, with S Donovan Wilson (groin) also out. That would leave more playing time available for Jaylon Smith. Vander Esch played just 22% of defensive snaps in the Week 1 loss to Tampa, while Smith played just 25%. Parsons led the group at 78%, with Neal just 1 snap behind. There will obviously be risk in using any of the Cowboys LBs in IDP lineups for Week 2. But Parsons, Neal and LVE all look usable at varied levels. We'd try to hold off on trusting Smith's snap share for now, as the likely 4th guy in order of playing time here. The move also hurts the IDP upside for Parsons by cutting down on his tackle opportunities. We've adjusted them all in our Week 2 LB rankings.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers with a groin injury. It's an aggravation of an issue that dogged him through most of August. The fact that he logged no practice time despite the long week following a Week 1 Thursday night contest doesn't seem to bode well. S Damonte Kazee is also questionable after sustaining with a thigh injury Thursday. He finished the week with a limited Friday practice. We'll check the status on both players Sunday afternoon.
Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence broke the 5th metatarsal in his foot in Wednesday's practice, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That's the famed "Jones fracture." He'll need surgery but reportedly could make it back onto the field in November. We'll keep an eye on Lawrence's progress. At this point, though, he is droppable in nearly all redraft IDP leagues. Tarell Basham looks like the next man up in Lawrence's spot. With DE Randy Gregory also out with COVID right now, Dorance Armstrong figures to start opposite Basham this Sunday against the Chargers.
Cowboys S Donovan Wilson sat out Wednesday's practice after aggravating a prior groin injury in the Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay. "It's just not where we thought it would be or hoped it would be," HC Mike McCarthy said, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. "We're just being smart with it. He played a lot of football on Thursday, too." Wilson played 55 of Dallas' 65 defensive snaps (85%) in that game. We'll see about his availability for this Sunday against the Chargers. Jayron Kearse would likely be the fill-in if Wilson can't go.
Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence left Wednesday's practice with a foot injury. "The severity is not yet clear," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We'll keep an eye out for more, but approach waivers tonight as though you won't have Lawrence in Week 2. Dallas was already likely to miss DE Randy Gregory for Sunday's game against the Chargers after he tested positive for COVID.
Cowboys DE Randy Gregory tested positive for COVID on Monday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. That will cost Gregory at least a game, but he can make it back by Week 3 if he shakes the virus quickly enough. Tarell Basham and Dorance Armstrong are the next 2 up at DE.
The Cowboys will be without RG Zack Martin for Thursday night's season opener at Tampa Bay. HC Mike McCarthy announced Sunday that Martin has tested positive for COVID. We'll see whether that also jeopardizes his availability for Week 2. Losing Martin figures to impact RB Ezekiel Elliott the most, from a fantasy standpoint. It's a particularly tough blow against a Bucs defense that has consistently ranked at or near the top of the league in run defense in recent seasons. Don't be surprised if we get a slow statistical start for Elliott. At the same time, we're not going to recommend immediately benching a RB you likely drafted in Round 1 -- unless you're loaded at the position. Check our full Week 1 rankings to see exactly where Elliott lands.
The Cowboys have started rookie Micah Parsons and converted S Keanu Neal at LB in each of their past 2 preseason games. It looks as though that pair will lead the playing time at the position. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch did mix in heavily with the 1st-team defense against Houston on Saturday, though. The ascension of the 2 new guys is noteworthy. Smith has been a full-time player and carries 1 of the league's largest cap numbers among off-ball LBs (nearly $10 million), and LVE is a former 1st-round pick who has dealt with injuries the past couple of years. Parsons, of course, arrived in Round 1 of this year's draft. Neal has history with new DC Dan Quinn, having played for him in Atlanta. The exact playing-time breakdown in this crowded corps is likely still working out, so we're wary of over-committing to any Dallas LB in IDP leagues. Parsons looks like the player with the highest upside and makes for a nice LB3 option (if he lasts). Neal could be a worthwhile late flier in deeper drafts. We've updated our projections for the group this week.
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