Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is teasing fans again with hints of some kind of spending spree, and just in case they didn't get the hint he dropped in front of reporters Sunday ("There is nothing more dangerous than an old man with money"), he went on the radio and doubled down.
The Cowboys got some mixed news on the injury front, but it looks like they could be missing four defenders in Rio on Sunday, Sept. 27, against the Baltimore Ravens. This would seem like a good time to get edge rusher Von Miller more involved but Dallas was distinctly bad about that against Washington in their first win of the year.
Here is how the Cowboys are spending their time before getting on their 10-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: 'Old man with money'
Before reporters could ask the
first question to Jones after Dallas' win against the Washington Commanders, he told them, "there is nothing more dangerous than an old man with money."
On his weekly show on 105.3 The Fan, Jones was asked if he was hinting about a possible trade or other upgrades to the Cowboys.
"Very much, very much," Jones said on the radio show. "I wouldn't under no circumstance, with that audience, be referring to anything other than a football context."
"I said it out of context, but I'm glad I said it. We were just feeling so good about our win that we were feeling our oats. We say this just right, don't tamper. My point is, it's good. We have the makings of a team here that I'm that optimistic about. I'd work to improve it in a minute financially."
He also raved about his defensive tackle duo of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who have been bright spots on a defense that otherwise seems to have familiar problems.
"Both outstanding," Jones said. "Quinnen is just one of the best players in the entire league, period. And certainly one of the best in the interior line in the league. And Kenny Clark has the reputation he has because of how consistent he is at a high level. So that gives us cornerstone in the middle."
Dallas Cowboys injuries: Durant, Lock updates
The initial injury updates on cornerback Cobie Durant and safety PJ Locke aren't great and they aren't terrible, but it looks like both will miss "multiple weeks" with injuries.
Durant has a hamstring strain while Locke tore the plantar fascia in his foot. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team has not decided on whether or not Durant and Locke will be placed on injured reserve.
While Locke's injury sounds serious, Schottenheimer said it isn't too bad and in fact having the plantar fascia completely torn is a good thing when it comes to recovery.
"It's pretty sore for a week, and then it begins to heal much quicker when you tear it fully," Schottenheimer said.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring strain) and safety Malik Hooker (broken forearm) also have not been cleared to return yet after missing the game against Washington and figure to be listed as either questionable or doubtful when the first official injury report of the week is due Wednesday, Sept. 23.
"Got to get through the week. Could be tough just because it's a shorter week for us, but not saying no," Schottenheimer said.
Dallas leaves on Thursday, Sept. 24, for its 10-hour fight to Rio de Janeiro and its game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 27.
As for how Dallas will deal with potentially four missing defensive players, "Next man up," Schottenheimer said. "That's real. I thought we used the elevations well for the linebackers. I think we're working some things potentially on defense, maybe in the secondary. We've got some guys there that might step up and help us in a couple different roles. But as we get into the plan, I think it's going to be what this league is about, is next man up."
In good news, linebackers Jaishawn Barham (stinger) and Dee Winters (shoulder) are fine and may not be listed on the injury report at all this week.
What is Von Miller's role with the Dallas Cowboys?
When Dallas added Miller in mid-August, the assumption was he would be a spot pass rusher and work his way up the all-time sack list. He played 11 snaps against Washington and spent some of those in coverage, which didn't go well.
Ben Grimaldi of the USA Today's Dallas Cowboys wire compiled his weekly "Good, Bad, Ugly" column and Dallas' use of Miller ranked as his "ugly" entry.
Grimaldi writes: "The Cowboys didn’t have a sack in the win, and the plan for Miller feels confusing. The team brought him in to be a designated pass rusher to finish out games, not for him to drop into coverage. Leading late and knowing the offense must throw the ball is the ideal situation for Miller, but he wasn’t used enough as a pass rusher.
"If the rest of the defense was garnering pressure and sacking the Commanders quarterbacks, it would be easier to understand. That wasn’t the case and Miller’s best talent was wasted against Washington."
Grimaldi's "good" entry was quarterback Dak Prescott's record day (he set the franchise record for touchdown passes) and the "bad" was Dallas' first-half defense.
When do the Dallas Cowboys play next?
The Dallas Cowboys “host” the Baltimore Ravens in the first game in NFL history in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, Sept. 27. The 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT/5:25 local Rio time kickoff will be televised on CBS.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Dallas owner Jerry Jones hints at spending spree amid Cowboys injuries
