Dallas Cowboys Practice Report: Injury Moves, Photos, 'Ridiculous Idea' - FISH PODCAST
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys on Thursday continued the preparation of putting behind them a painful loss ... while trying to get things right in Week 6 as they hit the road for a prime-time showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football'' at Sofi Stadium.
They will do so having made a quartet of roster moves, featuring the shift to IR of Leighton Vander Esch and Peyton Hendershot and the free-agent signing of linebacker Rashaan Evans.
KaVontae Turpin, Juanyeh Thomas and Donovan Wilson
As Dallas looks to bounce-back after getting thrashed by the San Francisco 49ers, 42-10, in front of a record-setting audience, the health concerns extend to KaVontae Turpin, Juanyeh Thomas and Donovan Wilson, all pictured above.
Below is the Thursday injury/practice report, with lots of "rest days'' inside The Star ...
That "bounce-back'' is doable here, as dating back to the start of 2021, Dallas under coach Mike McCarthy is 9-1 in weeks following a loss. That ranks as the highest winning percentage among NFL teams in weeks following a loss during that time.
Mike McCarthy and Will McClay
Beating the Chargers, who have extended rest coming off their bye, will be no easy feat. Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns to just one interception. His 106.3 passer rating ranks third in the league plus he leads L.A. with three rushing touchdowns.
On defense, Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack is coming off a monster game. Mack recorded six sacks in L.A.'s Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, the first performance by any NFL player with at least six sacks since 2017.
This matchup will also feature the Cowboys' first game playing their former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Since Moore has taken over the Chargers' play calling, L.A. improved in total offense from the 18th-ranked offense last season to the fifth-ranked offense this season.
CeeDee Lamb
The bright side for Dallas is its starting offensive line will be healthy. Of note, quarterback Dak Prescott has thrown for a touchdown against 30 NFL opponents. With a touchdown pass against the Chargers, Prescott will have a touchdown pass against all 31 opponents he's faced. The Chargers defense ranks second-worst in yards allowed. ... and maybe this can be a breakout game for CeeDee Lamb, recently labeled as "overrated'' by national media critics.
As our Mike Fisher notes here in the Fish Podcast, there are some "ridiculous'' notions going around as to what the Cowboys should do next. Dig in there ... or watch below as Fish discusses the Cowboys - after enduring some harsh Deion Sanders criticism - having a chance to redeem themselves in another road test ... Entering Week 5, Dallas is chasing the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, who sit stop the NFC East division.
