The Dallas Cowboys are playing out the string, to some degree maybe treating this final season-ending game against the Washington Commanders as if it’s “Preseason in January.”
But as they move to this Sunday? Their wallets are a bit lighter from last Sunday.
The Cowboys’ 41-7 blowout loss to the Eagles leaves receiver Jalen Brooks and cornerback Troy Pride being docked by the league for their involvement in a late-game fight. Brooks has been fined $5,083, and Pride has been fined $5,198 hit.
Both players were ejected from the game.
Additionally, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has been fined $16,883 for a violent late hit on Philadelphia quarterback Kenny Pickett early in the third quarter.
And guard Tyler Smith, who popped Eagles defender Jalen Carter in the head, is being fined $11,817.
Meanwhile, Dallas marches on to this Sunday’s finale …
A headliner, according to a team source: QB Trey Lance is (finally) “in the game plan,” as it was put to us.
And elsewhere? The Cowboys have signed former Steelers cornerback Luq Barcoo to their practice squad. … a possible response to the injury report that has Kemon Hall (hamstring) listed as out for the game.
Hall has in fact been placed on IR, Pride has been elevated from the practice squad, and QB Will Grier has been signed to the varsity as well.
In addition to Hall being out, Chuma Edoga (toe), Mazi Smith (pelvis), Nick Vigil (foot), and Donovan Wilson (knee) are all questionable.
Micah Parsons (wrist) had been on the injury list he was a full participant and is good to go for Sunday.
This could be Mike McCarthy’s final game as head coach of the Cowboys. His contract expires after the season ends, and his future in Dallas is in question.
McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl as coach of the Green Bay Packers inside AT&T Stadium after the 2010 season, reflected on the possibility of Sunday being his final game with the Cowboys.
“I’ll be honest with you, I go to the stadium much earlier this time in my career than I used to,” the 61-year-old said. “I won a Super Bowl in that home locker room at AT&T Stadium. So I have a very strong emotional attachment that it hits me every time I walk in there and every time I walk out. I’m not thinking about it right now, but, yeah, I’m definitely in tune with that.”