As the Dallas Cowboys prep for their Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the team faces a cascade of challenges—injuries to key players, missed opportunities in free agency, and continued scrutiny on quarterback Dak Prescott’s support system. Here’s what’s happening with the Cowboys this week.
Dak Prescott: Set Up for Success or Failure?
With other teams actively bolstering their rosters around their star quarterbacks, the Cowboys’ front office is facing criticism for its lack of moves to support Prescott. Despite consistent pressure on Dak to deliver wins, Dallas has failed to add the impactful offensive weapons seen in other organizations. This pattern has some wondering: is Prescott set up for success, or are the Cowboys setting him up for failure?
Josh Allen gets Amari Cooper
Lamar Jackson gets Diontae Johnson
Patrick Mahomes gets DeAndre Hopkins
Aaron Rodgers gets Davante Adams pic.twitter.com/Bza08Be43v
— MartinTalkCowboys (@DAK_4_MVP) October 29, 2024
Key Injury Updates: Bland, Parsons, Lawrence, and Cooks
In a pivotal week, cornerback DaRon Bland’s return hangs in the balance as his window to be activated from IR closes. Without his presence on the active roster by week’s end, Bland would be sidelined for the season—a substantial loss for a Dallas defense already dealing with limited depth.
In addition to Bland, the Cowboys are closely monitoring linebacker Micah Parsons, whose impact has been missed since he suffered an ankle injury. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Brandin Cooks are also on the injury watchlist, with both aiming for a quick return to provide some much-needed support on both sides of the ball.
Quick Hits and Headlines
Other Cowboys headlines making waves this week include:
Jerry Jones’s Optimism: The team’s owner insists he’s confident in Dallas’s ability to bounce back, despite their current struggles.
Missed Opportunity with Derrick Henry: In light of recent league-wide trade activity, Jones is under fire for not acquiring star offensive players, like Derrick Henry, to help Prescott and the offense.
Trevon Diggs’s Media Incident: Diggs recently responded to backlash over his exchange with a reporter, emphasizing his commitment to the team amid the controversy.
McCarthy’s Frustration with Turnovers: Head coach Mike McCarthy voiced his “frustration” with the team’s poor turnover ratio, calling it a “losing formula” that needs immediate addressing.
Dak Prescott’s Reluctance to Run: Jones recently explained why Prescott has been cautious with his legs this season, attributing it to injury prevention—a decision that continues to spark debate.
The Cowboys enter their Week 9 game with a sense of urgency, as their season could be defined by the next few matchups.
