The Dallas Cowboys promised changes after the Tampa Bay Bucs game, and on the defensive side of the ball they are delivering change. Christian Parker got help and is moving his game day operation.
The team has also been bitten by the injury bug just six weeks into the NFL season. With 12 games remaining, the Cowboys have to be mindful of their remaining designated-to-return spots if anyone else is expected to miss a long period of time.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker making big change ahead of Week 6 – Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Coming off a mini-bye week, Christian Parker is changing his game-day
routine.
Part of the solution-based conversations over the weekend within the coaching staff included hiring longtime NFL defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as a senior adviser to defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Another part, as told by owner Jerry Jones on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning, will be Parker moving from the sideline to the coaches’ booth beginning this week.
“You search for what we could do differently that would give us different results,” Jones said. “That’s the main emphasis that we would spend some specific attention to. We’re going to coach the defense, from not on the field, but up above. Parker is going up above. You should be looking for ways to improve.”
Cowboys have a specific IR issue that threatens 2026 – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
Christian Parker’s side of the ball has taken the biggest hit from injuries.
The current problem for the Cowboys is that they’ve only played five games but have already used six of their eight allotted IR-DTR seats.
The league caps the usage of them at two during final roster cutdowns, and Marist Liufau and rookie cornerback Devin Moore were moved into them ahead of the season. The subsequent additions have included All-Pro guard Tyler Smith (who has since returned to action), Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke and Jonathan Bullard.
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NFL trade deadline buyers and sellers: Cowboys looking to add, possible Chargers fire sale? – Carter Bahns, CBS Sports
If the Cowboys can string together a few wins over the next few weeks, it’ll make for an interesting trade deadline.
Dallas could also look back to Pittsburgh and try for [Alex] Highsmith, who could be the odd man out in a three-person pass-rushing system that also features T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig. The Cowboys already pulled off three trades with the Steelers over the last year and a half, so there is a fruitful working relationship between the two front offices.
Updated Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart Reflects Slight Changes For Week 6 vs Packers – Josh Sanchez, Cowboys on SI
It looks like Caleb Downs is moving back to the position he started the season at.
We also get to see the secondary taking shape, with Joey Porter Jr. and DaRon Bland on the outside, while Caleb Downs is listed in the slot. The Cowboys’ secondary will be even better once starting safety Jalen Thompson returns from injured reserve.
2026 NFL Power Rankings: How all 32 teams stack up for Week 6 – Todd Archer, ESPN
The Cowboys’ disappointing loss sent Dallas into a power-rankings free fall across the board.
Week 5 result: Lost to the Buccaneers 24-16
Week 5 ranking: 12Biggest issue on defense: Everything?
How do you pick just one issue when it comes to the Cowboys? They are giving up 27.2 points per game, which ranks 26th in the NFL. They are giving up 168.4 rushing yards per game, which is last in the league. They have recorded only five sacks and do not have an interception this season.
