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Jonathan Mingo Did Not Expect To Be Traded; WR To Make Cowboys Debut In Week 11

November 15th, 2024 at 10:33am CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys were involved in the trade market last week when they acquired Jonathan Mingo. The second-year wideout fell out of the Panthers’ plans, and with term left on his rookie contract he can be a contributor for Dallas in 2024 and beyond.

Mingo was known to be a trade candidate leading up to the deadline, and Carolina had already been active at the position by dealing Diontae Johnson to the Ravens. Dallas did not profile as the most logical of potential buyers given the team’s struggles this year, but the trade – which saw Mingo and a seventh-round pick exchanged for a fourth-rounder – is of course not strictly a rental. Still, the 23-year-old was surprised he found himself on the move at the deadline.

“It kind of blindsided me, because my agent told me he didn’t think anything was going to happen, slim chance,” Mingo said when reflecting on the trade (via the Cowboys’ website). “So that slim chance happened. I’m happy to be a Cowboy, fresh start for me, new beginnings, God put me here for a reason.”

The 2023 second-rounder entered the league with high expectations last year, but he managed only 418 scoreless yards. Carolina’s offense underwent a number of changes this offseason, and Mingo went from handling a snap share of 89% in 2023 to just 56% this year. An uptick in usage could be coming his way in Dallas, a team which has been without Brandin Cooks for more than one month. That injury has left the Cowboys thin in terms of depth receiver options behind CeeDee Lamb.

Cooks is a pending free agent, and aside from he and Lamb – who signed a monster extension this offseason – all of Dallas’ wideouts are attached to rookie deals. That includes Mingo, who showed plenty of potential as a deep threat with a 15.7 yards per catch average during his time at Ole Miss. The Cowboys could use a vertical presence in their passing game now and in the future, and Mingo could prove to be a cost-effective contributor in that regard after the team thought higher of him than any rookie added in the fourth round this April.

To little surprise, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said (via DLLS’s Clarence Hill Jr.) Mingo will play in Week 11. Dallas sits at 3-6 on the year and with Dak Prescott sidelined for the remainder of the campaign (among a number of other injuries), the chances of a postseason push are slim. Mingo’s debut and his performances the rest of the way will be an interesting storyline to follow, though.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Out For Season

November 14th, 2024 at 11:56am CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 14: Prescott’s surgery was a success, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports. The lengthy rehab process will now begin as the Cowboys consider their other quarterback options to close out the campaign.

NOVEMBER 12: The Dak Prescott surgery scenario will commence. Although rumors about a potential late-season return emerged, Prescott’s hamstring injury will ultimately shut him down.

A round of medical opinions will lead Prescott to the operating table, with Jerry Jones confirming during a 105.3 The Fan appearance (h/t The Athletic’s Jon Machota) his quarterback will undergo surgery in New York. The operation will take place Wednesday.

Considering the Cowboys’ trajectory and the nature of Prescott’s injury, it is not too surprising this is how his season will end. The Cowboys will stick with Cooper Rush in the immediate aftermath of a blowout loss to the Eagles, though veteran Cowboys reporter Newy Scruggs adds the team is bringing in Will Grier to join its practice squad. The Eagles released Grier from their P-squad last week.

Prescott, 31, is believed to have suffered a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon. Reminding somewhat of the injury that cost Tyron Smith most of his 2022 season, Prescott’s malady prompted visits with multiple doctors — including one in New York. That meeting will provide the impetus for the ninth-year QB to wrap his season. This will go down as a wildly successful Prescott year on the contract front but a poor one in terms of performance.

Signing a four-year, $240MM extension — one that raised the QB market by a staggering $5MM in terms of AAV — Prescott ranked 25th in QBR when he went down during the Cowboys’ Week 9 game against the Falcons. A scramble produced the hamstring malady, and Prescott winced as he attempted a subsequent pass. The Cowboys certainly needed Prescott to salvage what looks like a lost season. With Rush at the controls in front of Trey Lance, Dallas is likely barreling toward a regime chance due to Mike McCarthy‘s lame-duck status.

The 2020s have brought extreme vacillations for Prescott, who has nevertheless signed two player-friendly extensions during the decade. A fractured ankle — an injury that has affected the QB in the years since — shut down Dallas’ starter in 2020, while he then powered the team to a No. 1 offensive ranking during a 12-5 2021 season. While the Cowboys repeated their 12-5 record in 2022, Prescott led the NFL in INTs (15) upon returning from an early-season thumb injury. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year bounced back last year, earning second-team All-Pro status, before another regression defined his 2024 showing.

When Prescott went down in 2020, the Cowboys sank to 6-10. This preceded a 7-9 Washington team winning the NFC East. The Cowboys and Eagles yo-yoed in the division over the next three seasons, but McCarthy is almost certainly on his way out after this one. Dallas now sits 3-6 and will play 10 games without its starting QB this season. Jones endured steady criticism for his roster construction this year, as his Prescott and CeeDee Lamb extensions came as the owner operated passively at other positions. McCarthy’s successor will likely have a top-10 pick to use in April as a result.

Grier spent nearly two years with the Cowboys, arriving as a waiver claim in 2021 and staying on until not being retained on the 2023 roster coming out of camp. The former third-round pick rejoined Kellen Moore with the Chargers to close last season, following Bengals and Patriots stints, and caught on with the ex-Dallas OC in Philly this offseason. Grier will round out Dallas’ QB room, which remains fronted by Rush, who has been Prescott’s backup for most of the former fourth-round find’s career.

It would stand to reason Lance would receive extended time moving forward, given the Cowboys’ situation, but McCarthy confirmed Rush will see at least one more start. Lance’s rookie contract expires at season’s end, while Rush’s two-year, $4MM deal wraps after this campaign as well.

Thanks to the mammoth re-up he inked in September, Prescott is tied to to the Cowboys through the 2028 slate. The latest Prescott deal featuring no-tag and no-trade clauses, the contract will need to be adjusted in 2025, as it carries an untenable $89.9MM cap number.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/24

November 13th, 2024 at 9:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed off Commanders’ practice squad: CB Chigozie Anusiem

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

  • Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): TE Jack Stoll

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/24

November 12th, 2024 at 7:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Released: LB Cam Johnson

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

The Falcons have added a notable name to their special teams corps in Jakeem Grant. The long-time Dolphins returner has collected six ST touchdowns in his career (four via punts, two via kickoffs), and he’s even hauled in 100 catches. However, the veteran hasn’t seen the field since the 2021 campaign while spending the past few years on Cleveland’s practice squad.

With Dak Prescott done for the season, the Cowboys have added some extra QB depth. In comes old friend Will Grier, who spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns in Dallas. The former third-round pick has since bounced around the NFL, including stops with the Bengals, Patriots, and Chargers in just 2023. Grier still only has two career appearances on his resume, both coming with the Panthers in 2019.

The Texans have added some experienced OL depth in Cameron Erving. The veteran is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started two of his three appearances for the Saints, and he barely played in 11 appearances with the Panthers in 2022. Still, the 32-year-old brings 98 games (58 starts) of experience to Houston, a factor that could be valuable down the stretch. To make room on the practice squad, the Texans moved on from cornerback Desmond King. The veteran has only seen time in one game for Houston this season, although he’s not far removed from a 2022 campaign where he started 13 games for the Texans.

Cooper Rush To Remain Cowboys’ Starter; Team To Make QB Addition

November 11th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Both Cooper Rush and Trey Lance saw time yesterday in the Cowboys’ blowout loss. It remained uncertain in the wake of that contest who would get the nod as Dak Prescott‘s immediate replacement moving forward, but that question has now been answered.

Head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Monday that Rush will serve as Dallas’ starter for Week 11. The veteran has made 31 appearances and seven starts during the regular season, all with the Cowboys. Given that level of experience and familiarity with the team’s offense, it comes as little surprise Rush will remain atop the depth chart for at least one more week.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old struggled on Sunday, amassing only 45 passing yards and fumbling twice. Lance saw 15 snaps during the second half, adding to the turnovers as well with one of his six pass attempts being intercepted. No obvious candidate is thus available to handle QB1 duties with Prescott out of the picture (likely for the remainder of the campaign).

McCarthy added the team will be making an addition at the quarterback spot in light of Prescott’s hamstring injury. Healthy depth will be targeted with that move as the team looks to find answers on offense. Dallas ranks 22nd in scoring with an average of 19.7 points per game, and with the league’s second-worst rushing attack the team does not have the option of leaning heavily on the ground game. Rush will be able to help his market value with a string of starts, given his status as a pending free agent; the same also holds true of Lance, whose action yesterday marked his first regular season time as a Cowboy.

Dallas has a record of 3-6 on the year, and the struggles witnessed with Prescott at the helm suggested a postseason berth would be challenging to attain. The Cowboys will move forward with their incumbent options under center, with Rush in line to start for at least the upcoming contest against the Texans. Further decisions at the position will be dictated by an evaluation of that game.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/24

November 11th, 2024 at 6:34pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are today’s minor moves around the NFL:

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Reinstated from suspension, one-game roster exemption granted: DE Mario Edwards

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Seattle Seahawks

Williams completed his three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He remains on injured reserve after a season-ending knee injury suffered during training camp.

Edwards served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and is now eligible to be reinstated to the Texans’ active roster. Houston requested and received a one-game roster exemption to give Edwards an additional week to practice with the team before being added back to the 53-man roster.

Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy Addresses Week 10 QB Usage; No Future Starter Decision Made

November 11th, 2024 at 11:21am CST by Adam La Rose

As a final decision is sought out in terms of how Dak Prescott will proceed with respect to his hamstring injury, the Cowboys need to sort out who will start under center for the remainder of the campaign. Discussions will take place on whether Cooper Rush will get the nod next week or if he will be replaced by Trey Lance.

[RELATED: Jerry Jones Confirms No In-Season Coaching Changes Will Be Made]

Rush played most of Sunday’s contest – a blowout loss to the Eagles in which Dallas mustered only two field goals – completing 13 of 23 passes for 45 yards. He also fumbled twice, something which contributed to the Cowboys’ overall turnover problem in the loss. The 30-year-old now has seven starts to his name, all with the Cowboys.

Lance saw time at different parts of the game, and overall he went four-for-six passing with an interception. The former 49er added 17 yards on three carries, and his rushing ability gives him a different skillset than Rush as the Cowboys contemplate their options. Heading into Week 10, it was clear Rush was the team’s preferred choice under center; it ultimately came as little surprise that Lance was included in certain aspects of the game plan, however.

“We’re not there yet,” head coach Mike McCarthy said in his post-game press conference (video link). “I mean, we had a package for him. We wanted to get him into the flow of the game was the thought process coming in here. Then to get him in when we did, then I took him out on the third down… I put Cooper back in for that play, for third down, we had the fumble, the turnover there. Something I’ll obviously discuss tomorrow.”

Acquired via trade after the 49ers elected to move on from him, Lance did not see any playing time last year. Prescott’s injury has opened the door for the former No. 3 pick to receive a look during the second half of the campaign, though, something which would greatly influence his market value. Lance, 24, joins Rush in being a pending free agent.

Sitting at 3-6 on the year, the Cowboys’ prospects of a postseason berth are increasingly bleak. Once Prescott’s attention fully turns to rehab, the quarterback spot will no doubt be one focused largely on evaluation to close out the season. It would thus come as no surprise if both Rush and Lance were to see notable time, but no decision for Week 11 has been made yet.

Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Not Interested In Midseason Coaching Change

November 10th, 2024 at 8:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Despite a 34-6 loss to the Eagles dropping Dallas to 3-6 on the year, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not interested in firing head coach Mike McCarthy before the end of the regular season, according to The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

Jones added that he regretted firing Wade Phillips after a 1-7 start to the 2010 season, per Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams, and also referenced moving on from Chan Gailey in 2000 after just two years as head coach, both of which included playoff berths.

Jones’ comments indicate that McCarthy’s job is safe at least through the end of the regular season. He entered 2024 with a .627 winning percentage as Dallas’ head coach, the best in franchise history, but has dropped to fourth place with a .592 winning percentage to date. Additionally, he is 1-3 in the playoffs during his tenure.

Jones even seemed to give McCarthy some cover if the Cowboys struggle during Dak Prescott‘s absence, which could be anywhere from six weeks to the rest of the season depending on a final opinion from a New York specialist.

“Anybody that loses their top quarterback has some adjustments to make and they’re usually adjusting uphill,” said Jones on Sunday, per Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS. 

One of those adjustments could be starting Trey Lance in Week 11, something McCarthy will consider this week, according to Hill. Lance played 15 snaps in Week 10 after Cooper Rush only managed 45 passing yards on 23 attempts. Lance completed four of his six attempts for 21 yards plus an interception to close out Dallas’ blowout loss.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Seeking Final Opinion On Surgery

November 10th, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Ely Allen

NOVEMBER 10: Prescott confirmed that he will be in New York on Monday to seek a final opinion on his partial right hamstring avulsion, per WFAA’s Ed Werder.

If the specialist determines that surgery is necessary, then it will take place in New York this week with a three-to-four month recovery period. If Prescott avoids surgery, he will still need six-to-eight weeks to heal before he can return to the field, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.

NOVEMBER 9: After the Cowboys baffled the media by not placing quarterback Dak Prescott on injured reserve today, reports have followed detailing the reasoning for the delay. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Prescott is still seeking multiple opinions as he attempts to avoid surgery.

After it was reported that Prescott had suffered a partial hamstring tendon avulsion, it became clear that the 31-year-old would miss an extended period of time. Further investigation of the injury determined that it may be necessary for Prescott to undergo season-ending surgery. Yesterday it was announced by team officials that Prescott was headed for injured reserve, but at this point, no such transaction has been made.

Schefter reported today that the plan is for Prescott to undergo the season-ending surgery. The only reason he hasn’t already is because he plans to seek “the opinion of one final specialist.” Prescott flies to New York next week to meet with the specialist. If the specialist agrees with every other opinion so far, the quarterback will undergo surgery on Wednesday.

Multiple sources set the recovery timeline for the surgery at six to eight weeks. Cowboys staff are already convinced that he’ll require surgery, so it wouldn’t make a difference whether they place him on IR today or later this week. If, by some miracle, the specialist comes away with a different opinion, the Cowboys keep open the potential option for Prescott to return sooner.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/24

November 9th, 2024 at 9:11pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

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