The Dallas Cowboys aren’t dealing with ordinary injury questions this week; they’re juggling two high-impact situations that could swing their Thursday night matchup in either direction. One involves a veteran pass rusher fighting a tricky soft-tissue setback. The other centers on a star cornerback trying to complete a long, disciplined climb back to the field. And both decisions, as of now, are going down to the wire.
Dallas can’t afford uncertainty at this point in the season, but that’s exactly what Brian Schottenheimer laid out when he spoke with reporters today. His updates on Jadeveon Clowney and Trevon Diggs paint two very different pictures, each with its own ripple effect on the Cowboys’ game plan and defensive identity.
Cowboys Updates: Jadeveon Clowney’s Availability will be Decided on Thursday
The Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will not participate in today’s practice due to a hamstring issue, per The Athletic’s reporter Jon Machota. Reportedly, Clowney will work off to the side on resistance cords as the staff evaluates his mobility and comfort level.
According to Schottenheimer, Clowney’s availability for Thursday night will be determined strictly by how he moves during pregame warmups. If he can explode off the line and open up without a setback, he’ll play. If the hamstring tightens or limits him, Dallas will hold him out.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously unpredictable, especially for a power-based edge rusher. Clowney’s absence in practice means the Cowboys must prepare contingency plans with DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, and their rotational depth in case the veteran can’t go.
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Cowboys Updates: Brian Schottenheimer Optimistic about Trevon Diggs
The update on Trevon Diggs, however, leaned more optimistic. Schottenheimer said Diggs has looked good in practice as he works through the ramp-up phase of his return.
The Cowboys will meet with the medical staff and defensive coaches before finalizing his status for Thursday. The team has been cautious throughout Diggs’ recovery, stressing workload progression and controlled acceleration. Two boxes, Schottenheimer indicated Diggs is close to checking off.
If Diggs is cleared, Dallas would regain its top ball-hawk at a time when the secondary has struggled with consistency. If he needs more time, the Cowboys will stick with their current rotation and avoid risking a setback.
Shortly, Clowney’s status is truly day-to-day and dependent on warmups, while Diggs is trending upward but still awaiting medical sign-off. Two different situations, both critical to a Cowboys team trying to stabilize before a pivotal prime-time matchup.
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