News: Lions vs Dallas run D, Cowboys gift bullied fan in Michigan – Cowboys Wire
The Cowboys look to be exceedingly healthy as the Lions come to town. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, and several other question marks all given the green light to play Sunday, Cowboys Nation can find other stories to occupy themselves with before the Week 7 contest.
Like who’s out and who’s questionable for Detroit; if their dangerous running back is able to go, it could be a real challenge for a Cowboys run defense that hasn’t exactly been legendary yet. We’ll forecast what Cooper Rush’s next contract could look like after his head-turning stint the past month, we’re getting an admission that Jerry Jones really did say that to Robert Kraft, and we’re exploring the massive effect Deion Sanders is still having on Jackson State University. All that, plus Cowboys players come to the rescue for a young fan being bullied behind enemy lines in Michigan. That and more in News and Notes.
For all the comparisons to the legendary defenses of Dallas’s past, this current unit ranks just 19th in yards allowed and 16th in yards per rush. Failure to stop the run played a huge role in the team’s two losses to Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, and they allowed Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones to combine for 160 ground yards in a win over the Giants. The Lions and Bears could provide formidable (and sneaky) tests for the Cowboys’ run defense over the next two weeks.
Detroit rushing threat D’Andre Swift is listed as questionable with shoulder and ankle injuries, but he says he’s “just taking it day by day” and “pushing towards” playing. Receiver Josh Reynolds, cornerback Will Harris, defensive lineman John Cominsky, and linebacker Chris Board are questionable as well. Wide receiver DJ Chark is out, as are defensive lineman Charles Harris, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, offensive tackle Matt Nelson, and cornerback Bobby Price.
Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, Jason Peters. They all had question marks at some point this week. But they all, along with Neville Gallimore, Quinton Bohanna, and Devin Harper on the defense, have had their injury designations removed. They’re ready to play against Detroit.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup on when he knew Dak Prescott was officially back: 11 on 11 this week:
Gallup: “When he threw me my first go-ball, I was like, OK, he’s letting it fly. He’s back. I already know what it is.”
The play resulted in a touchdown.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 21, 2022
The team scribes unanimously like Dallas in this one, but there’s a difference of opinion on how close the game might be. Nick Eatman sees the Lions hanging around until the end, with the Cowboys prevailing by five. On the other end of the spectrum, Hailey Sutton thinks the team shows what they’re made of now that they’re all back together; she predicts a win by over three touchdowns.
Cooper Rush may have played himself right into a massive payday. While he’s making just over $1 million this season, his four straight wins this season could make him an intriguing option for needy teams willing to spend top dollar in free agency. As the top backup option available, Rush could stand to earn a two-year, $20 million deal, though likely from some team other than the Cowboys.
The Cowboys owner didn’t deny the recent report that he snapped at the Patriots boss during a discussion about Roger Goodell’s next contract. “It’s probably accurate that I did express myself in probably a way that’s not in good taste,” Jones admitted, saying he assumes that everything he ever says will somehow go public.
When 10-year-old Alexa Becker wore her Dez Bryant jersey to school in Fenton, Mich. earlier this month, she didn’t expect to be teased so much that she’d have to be picked up early. So both parents showed up at school… also decked out in Cowboys gear. “It was just important to us to not allow her to change anything about herself or what she loves because someone else didn’t like it,” her mother said. After Alexa’s story went viral on social media, Bryant himself weighed in: “she got something special coming her way.”
The former Cowboys star has helped bring HBCUs into the football spotlight; on Friday, he brought it to mainstream America along with their morning coffee. Ex-Giant and Texas Southern alum Michael Strahan anchored his portion of Friday’s show from Jackson State for the school’s homecoming and featured Coach Prime and his Tigers program. And that got the attention of Mars Wrigley North America, the manufacturer of Mars and Snickers candy bars. The company’s president is from Jackson and his parents were teachers there; the company donated $100,000 to the JSU Emergency Gap Fund to help students who are facing financial difficulties.
The rapper and noted Cowboys fan celebrated with The 88 Club this week at a local restaurant. They promised to reconvene in Arizona if the Cowboys reach the Super Bowl in February. Upping the ante, Malone vowed to get an 88 tattooed on his forehead if Dallas actually wins the Super Bowl.
Cowboys’ next four games are against NFC North opponents: Lions, Bears, Packers and Vikings. Mike McCarthy was asked twice this week if he feels like he’s coaching Packers again. “I recognize the uniforms. I’ll say that.” pic.twitter.com/AvfTjuvzAb
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 21, 2022
