FRISCO, Texas — In preparation for the Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys are adjusting the lineup in response to injuries.
Tavon Austin is still in concussion protocol and the team is hopeful his situation is closer to the shorter version than the longer. He worked out with the training staff on Wednesday.
Michael Gallup had arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday and the wideout will be out for two-four weeks. The Cowboys’ plan is to try Devin Smith in Gallup’s place and if he does not pan out, Dallas will move Randall Cobb out wide and will put Cedrick Wilson in the slot.
Xavier Woods suffered an ankle injury against Washington and the Cowboys are taking his situation day-by-day. They will see what his availability is come Sunday. If he does not start, Darian Thompson will take his place at free safety. I would not discount Woods for the Saints game.
I spoke with Thompson in the locker room on the opportunity and he said, “ Nobody wants to see anyone go down. The best of luck to Xavier on his injury and a fast recovery. As far as me, it is business as usual: Preparation, practicing, and working hard. I have my opportunity to go out there on Sunday and have fun.”
Tyrone Crawford is also a day-to-day with a hip injury, along with Antwaun Woods in dealing with a knee injury. Both did not practice on Wednesday. Robert Quinn will start at right defensive end in Crawford’s place. If Woods is out, which he likely will be, Christian Covington will start at nose tackle.
Covington told me, “ Honestly I am just excited to finally be in this type of defense and to get out of a 3-4; finally go to a vertical set and a vertical pressure. A 4-3, all hands on deck football wise on defense. For me to be able to use my quickness with my size and to just make plays and wreck havoc just like Antwaun, it will be that one, two-punch from that nose position. That is what I try to bring to every practice with him, and that is what we are going to continue when he gets back. In the meantime, I will hold it down for him.”
The team will be activating Quinn onto the 53 from the reserve/suspension list. To make room, the Cowboys will be releasing a player. I am told the team is deciding between Adam Redmond and Taco Charlton. Charlton did not practice on Wednesday.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the Dolphins have a few lineup changes as well.
Miami has lost many talented foundational players as management stripped the roster. The Dolphins have to find a way to rebuild with who is left.
Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Houston Texans for two first-round picks, and a second-round selection incorporated into a deal featuring Miami sending receiver Kenny Stills to the Texans for picks/players.
The Dolphins most recent loss, the team traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for a 2020 first round-pick, along with Pittsburgh’s 2020 fifth and sixth-round picks. Fitzpatrick was a cornerstone in the Dolphins’ secondary alternating assignments each week based on the opponent. Many are now working to fill the needed role: Walt Aikens, Steven Parker, Jomal Wiltz, Chris Lammons, Johnson Bademosi, and Ken Webster.
The 2-0 Cowboys are moving in the opposite direction of the 0-2 Dolphins. Dallas’ offense as a whole (total) is currently ranked No.2 in the NFL and in passing, third. Dak Prescott now has seven touchdown passes in the first two games of 2019 and is tied with Don Meredith for the most by a Cowboys’ QB through the first two games of a season. He has also completed 18 straight passes to tie his career-high and the second-longest streak in team history.
He has shown complete confidence in the pocket going through his progressions/reads, and the Cowboys need to not fall into a trap and underestimate the Dolphins. The offense needs to keep up the rhythm and tempo under Kellen Moore’s spread-out offense.
On defense, the Cowboys are ranked No.18 in the league, seventh against the run and tenth against the pass. The addition of Quinn will help boost the line’s pass rush putting pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was ruled as the starter for Sunday. The defense had a good test in tackling going against Saquon Barkley in week one and Adrian Peterson in week two. The effort needs to continue into week three-bringing the Cowboys to a 3-0 record.
