During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed optimism regarding his top wideout. Schottenheimer stated the organization remains “hopeful” that Pickens can suit up against the Colts.

Consequently, the coaching staff anticipates a final determination following Friday’s official practice session. If cleared, Pickens will step into a favorable matchup vs the Colts to help Dallas rebound.

Pickens’ season has fell short of expectations

Pickens has endured an uneven 2026 NFL season after playing under the franchise tag this fall. Through eight starts, the dynamic wideout has totaled only 39 receptions for 533 yards and two touchdowns.

Furthermore, recurring physical issues have hindered his weekly explosiveness and overall target volume. He managed just two catches in last week’s frustrating loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Ryan Flournoy is a certified WR3 that can help if Pickens misses game vs Colts

Backup wideout Ryan Flournoy is ready to get perimeter targets if Pickens faces playing limitations. The young receiver has steadily earned coaching trust through crisp intermediate route running and reliable hands.

Therefore, Flournoy can step cleanly into the WR2 role behind CeeDee Lamb if Pickens is out. His physical blocking and red-zone instincts provide quarterback Dak Prescott with dependable chain-moving support on Sunday.

“I will say that a lot of people let Brian (Schottenheimer) down today,” Jerry Jones stated postgame, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “And so, for whatever criticism we want to have of Brian, we going to all get in line. That was a total team effort out there for us. We have to be better than that when we can get our hands on a win and then drop the ball.”

Jones’ message won’t cancel out the noise surrounding Schottenheimer and the growing calls for the Cowboys to move on from him. However, he did shed light on how the front office evaluates the situation, and his comments are very telling about what could happen to the head coach.

For the time being, Schottenheimer is staying off the hot seat, but life changes fast in the NFL, and he’s walking a thin line, even if Jones won’t publicly lash out at him.

Week 8 loss changes things for Cowboys

Jones is never one to mince words, especially after disappointing losses, which the Cowboys seem to collect year after year. At the end of the day, Jones is the one paying the bills in Arlington. He’s more than entitled to his opinion, and if something isn’t right, he won’t hesitate to call it out.

Jones didn’t give out any names, but fans across the NFL may find out who Dallas is most upset with in the coming days if there are sudden roster moves before the trade deadline (Nov. 10).

Cowboys crash and burn in Week 8

Fans at AT&T Stadium should have grown suspicious as the Cowboys headed into halftime with a two-possession lead and seemingly in control of the game. It’s rarely that simple for Dallas, and soon things would turn chaotic. Failing to capitalize on drives with touchdowns and settling for field goals came back to bite them.

Of course, allowing the Cardinals to score a touchdown on a last-ditch, eight-play, 80-yard drive when Arizona had no timeouts was the last straw. The Cardinals even gave the Cowboys a chance, as kicker Chad Ryland missed the extra point that would have sealed the win in regulation.

In overtime, the Cardinals punted on their opening drive, leaving Dallas with a chance to score and win the game. It was three-and-out for the Boys, giving the ball back to the Cards, and that was all she wrote. Ryland wouldn’t miss another easy kick, and there was no miracle for the self-wounded Cowboys.

Tough picture for Dallas

The Cowboys are now 3-5 on the year. With the New York Giants on a bye and either the Philadelphia Eagles or Washington Commanders set to lose as the divisional rivals meet on Sunday night, the Cowboys let a key chance to narrow the race for the NFC East title slip through their fingers.

One may say it’s still early in the 2026 NFL season, but this Week 8 defeat hurts in so many ways that it almost feels hope-crushing for Dallas.

Key takeaways

• The Dallas Cowboys lost 33-30 to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8.
• The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10, prompting speculation on potential Dallas Cowboys moves.
• The Dallas Cowboys fell to 3-5 following their overtime defeat against Arizona.

There’s a lot on the line for both sides. The Cowboys and Eagles are coming off consecutive losses (the Eagles have lost four in a row) and sit tied for second in the division with 2-4 records. Dallas may be even more desperate for a win than Philadelphia, though, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer made that clear right away.

“I’m pissed off. (The players) are pissed off too. We’re ready for a win,” Brian Schottenheimer admitted, per Jon Machota of The Athletic, after Week 6’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Eagles may be ready to tank

In Philly, the team is getting the sense that this will be a down year, and losing Hurts for the rest of the season seems to be the final nail in the coffin. The team’s fate now rests in the hands of quarterback Tanner McKee, who’s become the starter ever since Hurts was sidelined due to his concerning health status.

As the Cowboys gear up for the primetime game at Lincoln Financial Field, Schottenheimer’s bold comment should put the home team on notice. The Cowboys are looking to get back on track, and that will only be possible with a statement win in a hostile environment that is truly one of a kind.

High-stakes Week 7 matchup

The Linc during divisional primetime games is no joke, and Dallas wants to be the team that tames that beast and crushes Philadelphia’s hopes before the NFL trade deadline.

The Eagles, though reeling from Hurts’ loss, will want to return the favor and keep piling on the Cowboys’ defensive woes after their disastrous start to the campaign.

The stakes are high, and the season may be on the line for both NFC East rivals as they enter a Week 7 matchup that feels a lot like a season-deciding game. For both head coaches, Schottenheimer and Sirianni, this could also be a game they look back on later in the year when the front offices evaluate their futures in Arlington and South Philadelphia, respectively.

Key takeaways

• Jalen Hurts is out for the 2026 season after developing multiple lung blood clots.
• Head coach Brian Schottenheimer stated Dallas Cowboys are “pissed off” and desperate for a win.
• Backup Tanner McKee takes over as starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys can’t seem to move on from the Parsons drama, especially on the eve of their matchup against Green Bay, even if Parsons won’t play as he remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. As big a game as this feels, Parsons isn’t rushing his return just to face Dallas in a revenge game. Last year, when the two teams met, the game ended in a tie, so both still have a score to settle.

Owner Jerry Jones denied that the Cowboys underestimated Parsons before the blockbuster trade, but that may still not be enough to put the matter to rest. For good measure, Schottenheimer made a blunt statement about how Dallas is handling the whole situation. For the Cowboys, it’s all in the past.

Schottenheimer on Parsons

“Micah [Parsons] is no longer here,” Brian Schottenheimer stated, via NFL insider Ari Meirov. “I’m looking forward to seeing him, but I like the picks that we got for Micah. I think we’ve done some really great things getting those picks.

“I hope that when it’s all said and done, that goes to show it made a big difference—because I do feel that way. You take a look at the guys that we were able to add to our roster.”

Parsons and Cowboys’ history

On Sunday night, the Cowboys won’t go head-to-head with Parsons, as he has yet to return to practice after tearing his ACL and meniscus last season. However, his departure from Dallas will be a topic revisited countless times and remembered long after the clock hits zero at Lambeau Field.

The two will remain intertwined for the rest of Parsons’ career, as a trade as spectacular and consequential as the one involving the Penn State alum is the kind that defines an entire generation of NFL fans.

Key takeaways

• Micah Parsons was traded from the Cowboys to the Packers before the 2025 season.
• Dallas and Green Bay played to a tie during their matchup last season.
• Micah Parsons will miss the game as he remains on the PUP list.

“There’s a good chance Christian is on the field,” Schottenheimer said during his press conference. “Christian Parker is our defensive coordinator. All (defensive) decisions will go through him.”

The coach also addressed the possibility of Parker taking on a new role in the booth. “None of those decisions have been finalized.” To address their shortcomings, it is clear that certain changes need to be made within the Cowboys organization.

Defensive issues plague America’s Team

The Cowboys’ defense has been an absolute trainwreck through the first five weeks of the 2026 season, sitting near the absolute bottom of the league in both total yards yielded (31st) and points allowed (26th) while ranking dead last in EPA per play. Despite investing heavy capital during the offseason, the unit has looked completely lost—failing to generate consistent pressure, bleeding big plays, and forcing new defensive coordinator Christian Parker into a trial by fire.

Desperate to stop the bleeding before the season completely spirals, Jerry Jones and Brian Schottenheimer coaxed veteran defensive guru Mike Pettine out of retirement as a senior defensive assistant. The hope is that Pettine’s extensive experience—and his mastery of disguised pressures and mug fronts—can act as a steadying hand for Parker, help fix the scheme’s massive coverage gaps, and salvage America’s Team on that side of the ball.

A big opportunity to fix the problems

America’s Team face a massive Week 6 matchup this Sunday, October 18, against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, giving their struggling defense the perfect stage to make a statement. Heading into Green Bay sitting at 2–3 after a tough loss to the Buccaneers, the Cowboys desperately need to clean up their schemes, tighten coverage gaps, and show immediate progress.

Going up against a solid Packers squad in a high-stakes primetime environment isn’t an easy task, but if Dallas can dial up pressure and hold its ground, it could be the exact turning point its defense needs to get the season back on track.

Key takeaways

• Brian Schottenheimer stated Christian Parker is our defensive coordinator.
• Jerry Jones announced Mike Pettine’s arrival to the Dallas Cowboys.
• Dallas Cowboys defense ranks dead last in EPA per play.

“We’re better than we’ve been the last two years on defense,” Jones stated to the press once the game concluded. Dak Prescott’s offense has always been the team’s biggest strength, but now the Cowboys are more balanced following their recent additions.

It is often said in the NFL that defenses win championships. This season, the Cowboys spared no expense in strengthening that side of the ball, and it is clearly starting to pay off.

Schottenheimer agrees with Jones

The Commanders presented a tough challenge, especially with a leader like Jayden Daniels on the other side. America’s Team had to work hard to get the job done. There are still areas to improve, but Brian Schottenheimer echoed Jones’ comments about the defense’s improvement.

“Overall, I thought the communication was better. There’s certainly things to clean up. We certainly did a poor job of containing Jayden (Daniels), but he can do that. He does that to a lot of people. That’s really where the rush yards got away,” Schotty said during his press conference.

“And then we got some things to improve on third down. I thought we really rushed the passer well. I don’t know what the pressure numbers were. I know we didn’t get any sacks, but (Daniels) and Marcus (Mariota) were both moved off the spot quite a bit. So, I felt good about that. But there’s always things to clean up. We certainly have not arrived. We got a lot of work to do.”

Washington couldn’t handle the pressure

The Cowboys’ defense finally flexed its muscles when it mattered most to lock down a 37-20 win over Washington. While they got ripped early on by Jayden Daniels’ legs, the defense slammed the door shut right at the goal line before halftime.

In the second half, they came out swinging—forcing a crucial fumble that flipped into an instant touchdown two plays later and shutting Washington down to just 10 points after the break.

Significant improvements on Dallas’ defense

The Cowboys‘ defense went from a top-tier group to a complete liability over the past two seasons. In 2024, they were solid enough, allowing roughly 27.5 points per game, racking up 52 sacks, and picking off 13 passes. But the 2025 campaign was a total disaster: they allowed a franchise-record 511 points (over 30 a game), saw their sacks plummet to 35, and managed a measly 6 interceptions.

They simply couldn’t get off the field or force turnovers, transforming what used to be an aggressive unit into one of the league’s most porous defenses.

Key takeaways

• Jerry Jones praised the defensive growth after previous concerns over unit strength.
• Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 37-20 behind a second-half defensive surge.
• 511 points allowed in 2025 set a franchise record for Dallas’ struggling defense.

“Give Harbaugh and his team a bunch of credit. They were the more physical team tonight. That’s certainly not our standard. That’s certainly not how we see our identity playing. They shoved us around in the running game. We couldn’t get the running game going on offense,” the Cowboys head coach revealed to the press.

“Situationally, they were outstanding. They did a really good job of keeping the ball away from us in the second half. I think they had the ball for 36 minutes and 40 seconds. So, this is a humbling business. We got humbled tonight, and that’s what I told the guys.”

The running game, as expected, prevailed for the Big Blue in the 28-20 victory. For America’s Team, it will be a matter of turning the page, correcting their mistakes, and analyzing what happened ahead of the rematch against the Giants.

Dart and Skattebo ran wild

Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo set the tempo in New York’s performance over the Cowboys. Dart anchored the air and ground attack, completing 79.3% of his passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns (134.2 passer rating) while adding 54 rushing yards.

Skattebo set the tone in the backfield, rushing 18 times for 81 yards and punching in an early touchdown. Together, they kept Dallas on its heels and set a physical baseline for the Giants’ offense.

Harbaugh is already instilling his work culture in New York

Nearly two decades at the helm of the Baltimore Ravens gave John Harbaugh’s teams a trademark identity: they were physical, powerful, and athletic. That is something he is looking to replicate in East Rutherford, and it was not only evident in the Week 1 debut, but also in previous additions to the roster that fit those characteristics.

In Week 2, they will face another major test, as they take on a serious Super Bowl contender. The Giants will travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Rams in a dream Monday Night Football matchup.

“Tyler Smith’s a great player, but we feel really confident in T.J., and he’s put great film on here,” the head coach said via the official team’s website. “He’s played next to Cooper Beebe, he’s played next to [Tyler] Guyton, so that’s nothing new, the communication and all that stuff…”

Schotty also added: “We tendered him the way we tendered him because we trust this guy as a football player. He’s a damn good football player that unfortunately is just playing behind a lot of really, really good players. So we have great confidence in T.J.“

Oftentimes, a player’s position on the depth chart doesn’t necessarily reflect their talent. That much is clear to Brian Schottenheimer, who has full confidence in Bass to replace Smith as one of Dak Prescott’s key protectors.

Protection guaranteed for Dak Prescott

The Giants will go all out in an attempt to slow down Dak Prescott, one of the league’s top quarterbacks during the 2025 season. However, they will have to contend with an immense talent standing in their way, ready to give everything he has to protect his QB.

Tyler Guyton will line up as the starting left tackle, alongside the previously mentioned left guard, T.J. Bass. Cooper Beebe will take over at center, with Tyler Booker at right guard and Terrence Steele at right tackle.

Brass’ numbers since entering the NFL

T.J. Bass went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft coming out of Oregon, but the Cowboys snapped him up right away as an undrafted free agent—and he’s been a total steal for their interior offensive line ever since. Over his first three seasons in Dallas, he played in 48 regular-season games, earning 10 starts while logging over 1,000 offensive snaps and proving to be an amazingly reliable backup across both guard spots and center.

He’s even made history as one of only two undrafted offensive linemen in Cowboys history to appear in that many games over their first three years in the league.

Nabers did deliver a cryptic injury update, raising concerns ahead of Week 1‘s matchup between the Giants and Cowboys. However, all signs still point to him playing and doing so as the main threat on New York’s offense. The fact that the Giants updated their depth chart and released Darius Slayton could well indicate that Nabers is healthy enough to play on Sunday night.

Still, whether Nabers plays or not, the Cowboys have yet to decide on their defensive matchups—or they simply won’t give their tell away. Asked about which cornerbacks will see the field at MetLife Stadium, a controversial, problematic turf field in its own right, Schottenheimer had a concise answer.

“You’ll see them all play,” Schottenheimer said about the Cowboys’ cornerback plan for Sunday night’s NFL season-debut in the Meadowlands, via Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt.

Cowboys make final tweaks to gameplan

Indeed, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys’ defensive backs have one less name to worry about after the news of Slayton’s release, though the wide receiver is not holding a grudge against the Giants.

Regardless, America’s Team has more than enough on its plate as things stand. The Cowboys face a tough decision with their lineup, and their cornerback depth chart may be the biggest question mark.

Cowboys’ depth at cornerback

For the time being, DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant are the main lynchpins set on the boundaries and are expected to be most responsible for keeping Nabers and New York’s revamped receiving corps, with Isaiah Likely, Malachi Fields and Odell Beckham Jr., in check.

Other options such as Shavon Revel Jr., Caelen Carson and Ameer Speed could be in play, too. According to Schottenheimer, they will, and as much as it could be bait for New York, there’s little the head coach could gain from openly deceiving his own players.

Caleb Downs: Dallas’ X-Factor

The crown jewel in Arlington, Caleb Downs, is expected to play at the nickel cornerback position, even though he came out of Ohio State as a safety prospect. With his elite mix of speed and strength, he could be Dallas’ perfect antidote for Likely, the tight end expected to be a slot presence in New York and who is reportedly already Jaxson Dart’s most trusted target.

“I don’t have a plan [yet], but this is my 16th year in the National Football League,” he said via the official team’s website. “I like to think that I’m a coach’s dream.
I just try to make everybody’s job easy — coaches and the players around me. Whatever I can do to help contribute to wins is why I’m here.

“Whether that’s in the locker room or out there on the football field, I’m still a sack daddy, so I’ll have my opportunity to go out there and rush the quarterback and contribute to wins.”

Will Von Miller play a prominent role on the field? That remains an unknown. The coach knows he has a highly experienced player on his roster, so it would not be far-fetched for him to rely on Miller to help elevate the team.

Experience on the Cowboys’ defense

Throughout his career, Von Miller has established himself as one of the best players at the linebacker position, having won two Super Bowl rings. However, his new chapter with America’s Team appears to have him starting behind others on the depth chart.

Schottenheimer’s first option at ROLB is Donovan Ezeiruaku, with Miller currently behind him on the depth chart. Tyrus Wheat, who most recently played for the Detroit Lions, is listed as the third option.

Von Miller has found his joy in the NFL again

Von Miller’s latest stint with the Washington Commanders may not have gone as expected, but the linebacker himself appears to have found his joy again with America’s Team. “The smile has come back, you know? I’ve always loved playing football. I’ve been able to play for some amazing teams, with amazing quarterbacks and amazing coaches. But it’s just something different about being here.

“Coming here to The Star and seeing this amazing facility, and going to the stadium, I am glad we had that preseason game because I was in awe. I’ve played on the other side, but I haven’t been on this side wearing white jerseys and playing for the good guys. . . . I’m sure a lot of kids wish that, and I am living a dream.”

Anticipating the debut

The Dallas Cowboys will kick off the 2026 NFL season with a tough trip to MetLife Stadium, where they will face the New York Giants on September 13. After that, they will have these four games ahead:

• Week 2, vs Washington Commanders (September 20)
• Week 3, vs Baltimore Ravens (September 27)
• Week 4, at Houston Texans (October 4)
• Week 5, vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (October 8)

“I think when we looked at the whole body of work we felt like Sam had done more [in terms of executing the offense],” the head coach stated. Insider Todd Archer also revealed that Schotty does not rule out the possibility of bringing Milton back to the practice squad if he clears waivers, although it is also a decision that the QB will have to consider.

The support from the coaching staff for the former Tennessee Volunteers player was outstanding, even though their paths may not remain together in the short term. “I think Joe is going to be a terrific player in this league,” Schottenheimer said.

Milton’s numbers that failed to convince

Joe Milton III put up solid box-score numbers during the Cowboys’ preseason action, completing 29 of 43 passes (67.4%) for 378 yards, three passing touchdowns, and no interceptions, while adding 12 carries for 14 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Despite showing off his cannon arm and accounting for four total scores, his play lacked the overall consistency and down-to-down accuracy the coaching staff wanted to see.

As of now, only one backup for Prescott in Dallas

With just a few days remaining before the start of a new NFL season, one of the teams generating the most excitement, as usual, is the Dallas Cowboys. The staff led by Brian Schottenheimer will enter Week 1 with only Dak Prescott and Sam Howell available at quarterback.

Will the Cowboys bring in a new QB?

The short QB room in America’s Team could indicate that a new addition may be on the way. However, for now, it is unknown whether the Cowboys will bring in a new quarterback in the short term, although no options have been ruled out.

A new hope in Dallas

Names like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens make up the offense of a team with serious aspirations of reaching the Super Bowl. To achieve that, they will have to get off to a strong start in an NFL season that promises to be highly competitive.

• Week 1, at New York Giants (September 13)
• Week 2, vs Washington Commanders (September 20)
• Week 3, vs Baltimore Ravens (September 27)
• Week 4, at Houston Texans (October 4)
• Week 5, vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (October 8)