Dallas – The Cowboys entered the week with a long list of injuries that have left the roster thin at several key positions. Linebacker Dee Winters is out with a calf strain, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is nursing an ankle, and the secondary has lost safeties Caleb Downs (concussion/ankle), PJ Locke (concussion) and Jalen Thompson to various ailments. Defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence is also dealing with an ankle injury and is being evaluated for short‑term injured reserve, which could keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
Uncertainty at safety and nickel
With the Cowboys set to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, it remains unclear who will start at safety or nickel corner. Schottenheimer emphasized that the coaching staff has prepared multiple options and will field the healthiest players available.
Depth and versatility on the defensive line
Schottenheimer highlighted the flexibility within the roster, noting that players such as Marist Liufau, James Houston, DeMarvion Overshown and Jaishawn Barham could step in to fill Lawrence’s role. “We’ve got good flexibility or versatility in that room,” the coach said.
Defensive performance and needed improvements
Despite a solid showing against the Arizona Cardinals—holding running back Jeremiyah Love to 23 rushing yards and limiting quarterback Jacoby Brissett to 119 passing yards and one interception—the Cowboys’ defense has struggled to finish games. Schottenheimer admitted the unit is still rebuilding and is on track to rank among the league’s lower‑performing defenses.
“There’s a big transformation that happened in the defense,” he explained, citing new faces from the draft and free‑agency signings. “What does give us hope is the type of young men that are in that room, the way they work.” He added that injuries have compounded the challenges, but the team must improve execution to close out tight contests.
Offensive injuries and the role of George Pickens
On the offensive side, wide receiver George Pickens is recovering from a hamstring issue, while tight ends Luke Schoonmaker (groin) and Jake Ferguson (ankle) are also on the mend. Schottenheimer praised Pickens for playing through his injury and expressed a desire to involve him more, especially by using motion to create favorable matchups.
“I’m just really proud of him how he’s banged up, and he’s playing through it, which is great,” Schottenheimer said. “When we move him, it doesn’t mean he’s always gonna get the ball, but it’s certainly something that we’d like to get done earlier in games, get them off to a good start.” He noted that while Pickens’ contributions may not always appear on the stat sheet, they help the team win field‑position battles.
Balancing the offense
Schottenheimer also compared Pickens’ production to that of CeeDee Lamb, who currently has 20 more receptions, roughly 200 more yards and four additional touchdowns. The coach stressed the importance of a balanced attack, stating that the Cowboys have the talent to win by running or passing, but must execute consistently on both fronts.
“Complimentary football is how you win in this league,” he said. “Dak Prescott’s an MVP‑caliber player. We’ve got weapons, we’ve got good running backs, you know, but at the end of the day, balance is real in football. And so whether it’s, you win the game by scoring enough points running or throwing, doesn’t matter to us. We want to be balanced because that makes us the most difficult to defend.”
Recent setbacks and moving forward
The Cowboys recently blew a two‑score second‑half lead, marking one of the toughest defeats of Dak Prescott’s career. Schottenheimer attributed part of the loss to offensive‑line struggles in both pass‑ and run‑blocking, as well as inconsistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
He also addressed the team’s reduced use of motion this season, explaining that trailing on the scoreboard has sometimes forced a more conservative approach. “A couple of games we’ve had to play from behind, so you’re not going to move because you’re trying to speed up the game,” he said, while reaffirming the staff’s belief in the effectiveness of shifts and motion when executed properly.
Honoring a fallen teammate
Friday, Nov. 6, marks one year since the tragic death of defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland. Schottenheimer said the organization continues to honor his memory through various tributes within the facility, noting that the grief remains real for players and staff alike.
“Miss Marshawn so much, and what we do to honor him and his legacy will probably stay between us. But there’s not a day that doesn’t go by that we don’t miss him,” he said.
As the Cowboys prepare for Sunday’s matchup, the focus remains on health, execution and a balanced offensive strategy that can adapt to the challenges ahead.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
