The Dallas Cowboys have somehow managed to win two games in a row, pushing off the obituary to their 2024 season for a little while longer. Now with a record of 5-7, the Cowboys are still several games out of the final playoff spot, but further distancing themselves from a draft position that gives them a winner’s shot at selecting an impact player next April.
Now stuck in the gooey middle of the NFL hierarchy, the Cowboys have five games remaining to fully define who they are. Proceeding without a franchise quarterback can be freeing in a way. Dak Prescott regularly saved the team from themselves and now with him on IR the defense is starting to step up as they put themselves back together. Week 14’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals will be another opportunity to prove that.
There are expected to be several roster decisions this week. Most notably, there’s a chance that DE DeMarcus Lawrence has his practice window opened. The team will move at least one secondary player, Josh Butler, to IR and potentially Juanyeh Thomas as well. The former is done for the year, the latter for a few weeks.
For now, here’s a look at the 53-man roster, the practice squad member’s remaining elevation eligibility, and the Reserved/Injured list entering Week 14.
Bland was returned to the 53-man roster in Week 9.
Each player on the practice squad can be called up to the big roster a total of 3 times and still revert back to the practice squad following the game without being released to the open market or waivers.
Each team can elevate two players per week through the regular season.
Elevations Remaining: 2 (Elevated in Week 10)
Elevations Remaining: 1 (Elevated in Week 8, Week 9)
Elevations Remaining: 2 (Elevated in Week 13)
Elevations Remaining: 0 (Elevated in Week 11, Week 12, Week 13)
Elevations Remaining: 2
(Elevated in Week 6)
Prescott was placed on IR before Week 11 with a hamstring injury and is done for the year.
Markquese Bell was placed on IR prior to Week 12 and is out for the season.
Carson was placed on IR prior to Week 13 and is eligible to have his practice window opened prior to Week 17.
Amani Oruwariye was placed on IR in Week 9. He’ll be eligible to have his 21-day practice window activated in Week 13.
John Stephens was placed on IR in Week 8 with an ACL tear and is done for the year.
Placed on IR in Week 5, DeMarcus Lawrence has been eligible to have his 21-day practice window opened since Week 10.
Richards was placed on IR prior to Week 13 and is eligible to have his practice window opened prior to Week 17.
Williams is out for the entire year.
Thomas was placed on IR before the initial 53, so he’s done for the year.
Bostick was placed on IR in training camp so he’s done for the year.