The extra long week of prep for Week 6 may be a good thing for the Cowboys, in more ways than one. First, there's the new hiring of Mike Pettine as the team's senior defensive assistant. Christian Parker tried to hire his former boss during the offseason; now the highly experienced Pettine will jump in to help Parker turn around a unit that's been abysmal through five games.
But the mini-bye may give several Cowboys a chance to get healthy after an illness has spread through the locker room. DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson were sent home on Monday, much like Joey Porter was just ahead of last Thursday night's game. (Porter was back at work on Monday; Jonathan Mingo has also had the bug.) And the Cowboys defense takes the unusual step of holding
a players-only meeting to try to figure things out for themselves.
Offensive lineman Nick Leverett has been waived, Von Miller admits he's getting less play time than he anticipated, and we look at some other viable trade options at edge rusher. On the injury front, DeMarvion Overshown is getting closer to making his return.
The Cowboys' next opponent is dealing with some personnel issues, too. It appears the Packers will be without Micah Parsons when the Cowboys visit Lambeau this weekend, scrapping an eagerly-awaited rematch in primetime. Now Green Bay will also have to come up with a plan to replace Javon Hargrave; the D-lineman is out for the season after an Achilles tear. And running back Josh Jacobs is no closer to making his return from a suspension.
Looking around the league, plenty of coaching decisions are getting serious second-guessing to start the week, two of the biggest coming in the NFC East. Dan Quinn is still "furious" over the Commanders' meltdown that saw them let the clock run out while sitting well within game-winning field goal range, and Nick Sirianni takes the blame for the Eagles' kickoff strategy that allowed Jacksonville to steal a last-second win in London. And, as expected, Dre Greenlaw's punishment has come down from the league; he'll sit one game for head-butting a helmetless opponent on Sunday.
Here's a quick spin through the day's top headlines.
Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines
- Cowboys hire Christian Parker's first NFL boss to help struggling D :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
- Dallas Cowboys add veteran DC Mike Pettine to staff, hold players only meeting, promise roster changes :: DLLS (Link)
- At least four Dallas Cowboys have caught illness, as 2 players miss practice :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Link)
- DeMarvion Overshown hopeful he can return Sunday vs. Packers :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
- Cowboys waive veteran offensive lineman ahead of Week 6 showdown with Packers :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
- Von Miller wants to play more, but Cowboys DE is willing to wait for opportunities :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
- 5 trade ideas to boost the Dallas Cowboys’ pass rush, headlined by 24-year-old rising star that fits Jerry Jones’ requirement :: A to Z Sports (Link)
- Disastrous NFC East Week 5 keeps Cowboys' hopes alive :: ESPN (Link)
- Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers opening odds provide stunning Week 6 twist :: SI.com (Link)
- Opponent hilariously trolls former $47M Cowboys star, IN GAME! :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
Latest Green Bay Packers Updates
- Packers' Micah Parsons won't play against Cowboys but return 'getting closer' :: ESPN (Link)
- Javon Hargrave out for season with torn Achilles: Three trade targets for Packers :: CBS Sports (Link)
- Packers have no league updates on Josh Jacobs’ situation :: Acme Packing Company (Link)
News & Headlines from Around the NFL
- 'Furious' Dan Quinn addresses Commanders' OT clock disaster: 'It can't happen' :: USA Today (Link)
- NFL suspends 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw one game for head-butting Seahawks' Ernest Jones IV :: NFL.com (Link)
- Nick Sirianni defends Eagles’ late clock management, regrets kickoff decision vs. Jaguars :: The Athletic (Link)
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Headlines: More players out with illness; roster moves; can Pettine fix defense?
