All signs are pointing to George Pickens being on the field Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers after missing last week’s game versus the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Caleb Downs, who is steadily improving, will have to be a huge factor in Week 10.
Jaishawn Barham will likely get more snaps on the edge as his progression at inside linebacker has stalled. On the injury front, the Dallas Cowboys might be shorthanded again on defense this week.
Cowboys WR George Pickens confident he should play vs. 49ers: ‘You gonna see me’ -Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
George Pickens has been dealing with injuries that kept him
out last week. He feels that this Sunday he’ll be back on the field against the 49ers.
FRISCO — Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was playful with reporters after Friday’s practice.
Pickens, who missed last week’s game against the Colts with a hamstring injury, was coy when asked about his playing status for Sunday against the 49ers.
“You gonna see me out there, you got to turn the TV screen on,” Pickens said.
Here We Goooo: Why Caleb Downs’ role is amplified for Cowboys vs. 49ers – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
Caleb Downs is the chess piece for the Cowboys defensively. That will have to be utilized quite a bit versus the 49ers.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer referred to some of San Francisco’s offensive pieces like TE George Kittle, RB Christian McCaffrey and FB Kyle Juszczyk less by their positions, but more as “weapons” for the offense, and they’re all threats when going downfield, especially Kittle and McCaffrey. With injuries at safety, rookie DB Caleb Downs will likely play some on top of the defense, but his role in the nickel against players like Kittle and McCaffrey may be even more important in this game as they look to work the middle of the field.
Schottenheimer says twice-cut backup will be Cowboys’ RB2 vs 49ers’ stout run defense – Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire
Dallas signed veteran running back Kendre Miller to their practice squad earlier this week due to Tyler Goodson’s injury. However, Israel Abanikanda will be the backup to Javonte Williams.
Israel Abanikanda is set to be called up from the practice squad to take over for the injured Goodson when the Cowboys host the 7-1 49ers, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
“He’s a guy we brought in last year and really liked,” the coach said of Abanikanda on Friday. “This is a guy with explosive speed. When you get this guy into open space, he’s a big man that can run really, really fast. … He’s ready to go.”
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Cowboys Injury Report Raises Major Defensive Concerns Ahead of 49ers Game – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated
The Cowboys are coming into their game against the 49ers with the status of a few guys up in the air. It’s the defensive side of the ball that could be hit the hardest.
OUT:
Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB (Ankle)
Jake Ferguson, TE (Knee/Ankle)
Tyler Goodson, RB (Ankle/Knee)
P.J. Locke III, S (Concussion)
Jonathan Mingo, WR (Ankle/Foot)
DOUBTFUL:
Juanyeh Thomas, S (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE:
DaRon Bland, CB (Ankle)
Jonathan Bullard, DT (Calf)
Alijah Clark, S (Illness)
Devin Moore, CB (Hip)
Joey Porter Jr., CB (Ankle)
Jaishawn Barham’s benching has sparked an unexpected Cowboys experiment – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat
Jaishawn Barham’s development at linebacker has hit a wall. As a result, he will see more time off the edge like he did in college.
Malachi Lawrence is out for a minimum of four weeks with an ankle injury, and Donovan Ezeiruaku has yet to practice this week with his own ankle injury. If he can’t go, Rashan Gary, Von Miller, James Houston and Tyrus Wheat would make up the OLB rotation.
Barham split time between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker at Michigan, but he was primarily deployed as a pass rusher in 2025, logging 162 snaps on the edge, per PFF.
He finished the year with 27 pressures, three sacks and a 13.1 percent pass-rush win rate, while his nine quarterback hits ranked 28th in the country.
