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AUG 18 EAGLES INJURED The Philadelphia Eagles tied the Browns 18-18 in a preseason game marred by injuries to the Cowboys’ NFC East rival.

The story of the Thursday night game is that the Eagles had three players carted off during the night, as cornerback Zech McPhearson, receiver Tyrie Cleveland and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo all left with injuries that required extra attention. Additionally, rookie Nolan Smith and receiver Olamide Zaccheaus went back to the locker room with injuries but returned to the sidelines. 

AUG 16 ANOTHER TE? UDFA rookie John Stephens Jr. is a small-college wide receiver-turned-tight end who caught the eye in Dallas’ preseason-opener against the Jags with his five receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Stephens Jr. was the Cowboys leading receiver on the night, and coach Mike McCarthy feels that the rookie is off to a good start in his NFL career.

“You look at his skillset, he definitely brings a lot to the table,” McCarthy said. “He’s just young and needs the work. He’s doing good, getting better.”

Stephens Jr. is 6-5 and 225, a different body type than Dallas usually collects at the position. Can he put 53-man roster pressure on blocking tight end Sean McKeon and/or athletic tight end Peyton Hendershot for a fourth position in the “Four Horsemen” group?

Jake Ferguson is the starter and rookie second-rounder Luke Schoonmaker, barring injury, isn’t going anywhere. And for now? With roster cuts not due until August 29, John Stephens isn’t going anywhere, either.

AUG 13 AIKMAN ON SKIS Troy Aikman is, as you might know, a bit of a fitness freak. He’s also a Pro Football Hall of Fame QB, the power behind EIGHT Beer, a Dallas Cowboys legend … Oh, and he can water-ski, too … as he recently established on a recent business-and-pleasure visit to Austin.

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A shirtless Aikman looks jacked, of course, causing one observer to wonder, “What’s in that beer?!?!”

AUG 12 DQ’S D The Cowboys are sitting 25 starters today in the preseason opener here in Arlington against the Jaguars … But the guys on coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense – guys fighting for jobs – are off to a good start.

On the first series of the game …

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence tried to pick on safety Juanyeh Thomas, and the backup youngster wasn’t having it, recording an interception for the “Legion of Doomsday” Dallas defense.

Follow along all day on our Live Cowboys Blog here!

AUG 10 WASHINGTON WHINERS? The Washington Commanders, from head coach Ron Rivera down to some whiny players, embarrassed themselves this week as news of their complaints about new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy became public knowledge.

He is intense and loud and enthusiastic and demanding and animated.

Bieniemy defended his approach by saying simply, “If I’m not doing my job, my (butt) gets fired.”

As the Cowboys look on from afar at their often-dysfunctional NFC East enemy, coach Ron Rivera is admitting an error in airing the dirty laundry, saying, “I put my foot in my mouth.” But But to Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, the explanations for the mess just add to the mess. … as he ponders whether the Commanders failed to do their homework here.

“Did the Commanders do ANY research on Bieniemy before they hired him?” Dungy tweeted, putting Rivera and company on blast. “Did they talk to ANY Chiefs or Vikings players or coaches? He didn’t just suddenly become an intense and demanding coach. That’s been his M.O. forever and it’s been successful. It shouldn’t be a surprise.”

Read more on Commanders SI here.

AUG 9 GILLY’S BEST Cowboys newcomer cornerback Stephon Gilmore has his top-five ranking of NFL receivers … and we’re sure CeeDee Lamb will trash-talk his way through workouts when he finds out he’s not on it.

We’re kidding, of course. Gilmore’s list is a good one, as he digs Stefon Diggs. … and tells Fox Sports that his other toppers include guys like Jefferson, Chase, Adams and Tyreek Hill. … 

And so let’s give Lamb an honorable mention, shall we? … especially because we know there is great mutual respect there.

“He’s the smartest defensive back that I’ve ever lined up against,” said Lamb of Gilmore, comparing their camp battles to a chess match. “He knows certain routes off of my alignment. It’s tough going against him, but I like it.”

AUG 7 A youth-league argument in a DFW suburb led to the shooting death of Michael Hickmon, 43, and now the brother of former NFL star Aqib Talib, Yaqub Talib, is heading to prison.

Talib was sentenced on Monday and will spent 37 years behind bars for murder after agreeing to a plea deal in July.

Talib was accused of shooting Hickmon, who was one of the opposing coaches, during a kids’ event in Lancaster. Aqib Talib – who is being accused of having instigated the conflict – is along with his brother being sued by Hickman’s family.

The Talibs issued a statement to “convey … condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy.”

AUG 5 D-WARE TOUCHING MOMENT DeMarcus Ware touched all the right bases in his induction speech as he went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with the classy Cowboys All-Pro pass-rusher Ware literally reserving three seats in the Canton audience for former teammates Marion Barber, Ronnie Hillman and Demaryius Thomas.

“I held some seats in my heart for you guys here today,” Ware said in his 16-minute presentation.

Barber came to the Cowboys in the same year as Ware and they were teammates together in Dallas for six seasons. Barber passed away in 2022.

Hillman was teammates with Ware for two years on the Denver Broncos. He was the team’s leading rusher in 2015 when the Broncos won the Super Bowl. Hillman passed away in 2022 after battling cancer. Thomas was with Ware for three seasons in Denver and was the team’s leading receiver during their 2015 Super Bowl campaign. He passed away in 2021 and was later found to have CTE.

DeMarcus Ware – on his day – thinking so graciously of others is typical of what made him a special player and what makes him a special person.

AUG 4 MALIK STAYING LONG-TERM Cowboys safety Malik Hooker is signing a three-year contract extension worth up to $24 million, a deal that includes an $8 million signing bonus.

Hooker – a playmaker as part of Dallas’ “Three-Headed Monster” at safety – will get $16.5 million guaranteed as part of the deal, which locks the former Colts first-rounder in through the 2026 season.

JULY 27 TWO OUT Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy revealed on Thursday morning here at camp that safeties Donovan Wilson (calf) and Israel Mukuamu (hamstring) both suffered “multiple-week injuries” in Wednesday’s first practice of training camp.

Wilson, we’ve been told, could miss a month as he gets rest and rehab.

As it happens, Wilson and Israel Mukuamu earned offseason awards for their work in the strength and conditioning program this spring.

Said McCarthy: “You know they’ve done the work.”

JULY 24 POLLARD ZOOMS Some star NFL running backs, including the Cowboys’ Tony Pollard, got together for a Zoom call over the weekend to discuss how players at their position are now “underpaid.”

Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. Barkley and Jacobs are central to the debate as they’ve refused to sign their $10 million tag tenders. ProFootballTalk.com reports that Austin Ekeler organized the meeting.

As CowboysSI.com has suggested, there is action the players can take. But it’ll require work by their union, the notoriously weak NFLPA. In the meantime, PFT suggests that among the ideas discussed was that players could fake injuries in games in order to bring attention to the cause. That seems … not smart.

“Right now, there’s really nothing we can do,” Chubb said Sunday. “We’re kind of handcuffed with the situation.”

True. Except for demanding that the union step in. Or fake some injuries. Or conduct some more meaningless Zoom calls.

JULY 21 DEION’S PROMISE Deion Sanders on Friday underwent another surgery to remove blood clots in his right leg, the Cowboys legend being represented by girlfriend Tracey Edmonds on social media as she spread the “Coach Prime” via her Instagram.

“Thank you Lord for another successful surgery!!,” Edmonds wrote. “We thank you for giving #CoachPrime @deionsanders the strength to fight these challenges and we have Faith that you will give him the VICTORY! We are so GRATEFUL for all the doctors, nurses, and staff who have blessed him on his road to recovery!”

The Hall of Famer Sanders has been in the news all offseason due to his condition, which doctors at the University of Colorado – where he is now the head coach – have told him could result in the amputation of his foot.

Sanders, however, has used his Instagram page to make a promise to all Colorado fans. … and really, all of his fans in DFW and beyond, too.

“I promise you that when we go out to TCU,” looking forward to his Buffaloes debut in Dallas-Fort Worth when CU plays here on Sept. 2, “I’m running out in front of our team. I promise you that.”

JULY 20 SNYDER OUT A big day in Washington … but a big penalty for the outgoing owner.

Cowboys boss Jerry Jones told us not long about that everything between him and pal Snyder was not “lovey-dovey.” And while one big number today is about $6.05 billion – that’s the approved sale price of the Washington Commanders from Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris that includes Magic Johnson – there is another big number in play.

Snyder is also being fined $60 million as he departs, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stating, “The conduct substantiated in (an investigation’s)  findings has no place in the NFL … We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What (a Snyder victim) experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values.”

In Snyder’s 24 seasons as owner, Washington made the playoffs just six times, with two wins. In the end, he “wins”; He purchased the franchise in 1999 (with Jones as an ally) for $800 million … and now sees a 700-percent return on his investment …

Minus $60 million worth of embarrassment. Should he care.

JULY 13 HOF MOVES The NFL has announced 60 Hall of Fame semifinalists for the Senior and Coach/Contributor categories, and four men with Cowboys ties are among the nominees.

On the list: Bucko Kilroy, Dan Reeves, John Wooten and maybe the headliner, Everson Walls. Walls signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1981 and played cornerback for the franchise for nine seasons. “Cubby” led the NFL in interceptions in three of those seasons while also earning three First-Team All-Pro honors. He eventually won a Super Bowl with the Giants.

Reeves, who recently passed away, was a running back for the Cowboys from 1965-1972 and then a player/coach in 1972. He made his name as an NFL head coach, as he led the Broncos and then the Falcons to Super Bowls.

Kilroy was as a scout for the Cowboys from 1965-1970 and is credited as a key decision-maker in drafting of Roger Staubach. Wooten worked in scouting for the Cowboys from 1975 to 1991, and before that was a standout offensive lineman blocking for Jim Brown in Cleveland.

JUNE 30 COWHERD ON COWBOYS Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd has offered up his prediction for the Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 NFL season. … and it’s not insulting. The TV guy has “America’s Team” finishing the regular season with a 10-7 record.

“That’s exactly where I feel like the Cowboys are at. I don’t think it’s unrealistic,” Cowherd said on Friday’s episode of The Herd.

Cowherd has the Cowboys notching losses against the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and two against the rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Problems? Yes. Two of them, specifically.

One, Dallas’ record against the Eagles since 2016 – we’ll term it “in the Dak Prescott Era” – cannot be ignored. The Cowboys record vs. the Eagles in the last five meetings is 4-1. In Dak’s last three Philly games, he’s 3-0. In his last eight Philly games, he’s 7-1 vs. the Eagles. Since 2016 (Dak’s rookie season), Dallas – with or without Prescott – is 9-5 against the Eagles.

We think they call that a “trend.” And of course it’s a thread that runs through the NFC East, as Dak’s lifetime record against Philly of 8-3 is is right there with his lifetime record of 9-2 vs. Washington and 10-2 vs. the Giants.

In other words, to Dallas? The Eagles, good as they are, are “just another” NFC East foe that gets kicked around in head-to-head meetings.

And two, just a few days ago, Colin said that if the over/under on Dallas wins is 9.5, he’d take the under.

JUNE 21 PSYCHEDELIC, DUDE! We will attempt to present without comment: Aaron Rodgers, having escaped from his “dark hole” or whatever, will be a guest speaker at a “Psychedelic Science” conference in Denver. 

Who will join the new Jets quarterback as a speaker? Per FOX16News, rapper Jaden Smith, the son of movie stars Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith will be there. Oh, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry is also slated to speak at the conference, which is being organized by a “psychedelic advocacy group.”

Rodgers recently went on an “ayahuasca journey” in Peru to ingest the plant-based psychedelic, which he said “unlocked a lot of my heart.”

JUNE 8 COOK CUT The Cowboys already employ Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard (on his $10 million tag contract) but now that the Vikings have as of Thursday morning informed Dalvin Cook that he’s getting cut?

Would Dalvin opt to take a cheap deal to play for Dallas? We don’t think it’s his plan … and it hasn’t been Dallas’, either.

We told you there would never be a trade here; CowboysSI.com has already noted the “kicked-around” status in one sense with our exclusive story on May 17 via a source stating that Dallas has “no interest” in trading for Cook.

Are the Cowboys going to bust up their mapped-out salary-cap plan for a running back to share snaps with Tony Pollard? It’s a fun idea. But we will stick with our belief that Cook would still to be paid like the $10 million APY player he’s been. And that he will be hooking up with the Bills or the Dolphins, the two teams he reportedly prefers. We will of course monitor.

JUNE 6 CHASE OUT? The Washington Commanders face a challenge in the NFC East. They appear to be the worst team in the best division, and they need lots of things to go right for them in 2023.

And the Chase Young situation isn’t going exactly right.

Yes, he was back on the field for practice Tuesday after not attending the first two weeks of OTA’s. And yet there is a chance the former No. 2 overall pick won’t be long for Washington, as Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer is reporting that the Commanders could look to trade Young this offseason.

“Teams coming out of the spring thinking they need more help may make trade calls on Young,” Breer writes, adding, “I know (Washington would) be open to listening.”

For more on Young and the Commanders, read here.

MAY 31: UNDISPUTED BREAKUP? Shannon Sharpe’s time with Fox Sports 1 (FS1) is coming to an end, as a report from the New York Post revealed that the NFL Hall of Famer has reached an agreement to a buyout of his contract with the network. 

Sharpe was part of the “Undisputed” sports debate show alongside muckraking former Dallas journalist Skip Bayless since September of 2016. 

This news of a “breakup” between Sharpe and Bayless comes in the months following a viral tweet from the ex-NFL reporter about Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during the Week 17 game versus the Cincinnati Bengals caused public disagreement between the pair. 

No statement has been given by either side at this, but according to the report, Sharpe will stay with FS1 until the NBA Finals concludes.

MAY 27: MADDEN MOVIE Will Ferrell – one of the best comic actors, mimics and sports-related stars in Hollywood, is reportedly in talks to play John Madden in a feature film chronicling the NFL legend’s life, per Deadline Hollywood.

The film will be directed by five-time Oscar nominee David O. Russell for Amazon/MGM. … and it seems the origin of the “Madden” video games will be a focus of the project.

It’s not yet known if the tone of the biopic on the late coaching and broadcasting legend will take a comedic turn. But that seems a logical idea … making Ferrell all the more qualified for the likely blockbuster role.

Madden’s TV work, combined with the drawing power of the Dallas Cowboys, in a sense made the quirky analyst the “voice of America’s Team” on television, especially during the club’s trio of 1990’s Super Bowl wins.

MAY 25 HOWIE RIPS FLORIO Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk has once again thrust himself into the news via a visit Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman that turned contentious this week.

Roseman, appearing on Florio’s radio show, found himself being prodded repeatedly by the interviewer’s questions about Arizona Cardinals being penalized for tampering after they hired Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as their new head coach earlier this offseason. The teams worked it out, the league approved the solution, and that’s the end of that. … but not to Florio.

And by the time the stuff hit the fan, Roseman called Florio a “conspiracy theorist.”

Roseman’s statement: “Really appreciative of (Gannon’s) contributions, helping us win the NFC, and that was handled at the ownership level, and I think we need to move on. The less we focus on the past, the better we’ll be in the future.”

Florio’s retort: “Do you not realize that answers like that make people like me think there’s a hell of a lot more to this than anyone is ever gonna tell us and it was a much bigger deal than anyone ever let it on to be?”

(Sidebar: From our vantage point, no, we do not see that. What “more” is there than the settling of a tampering charge? Why isn’t that story “story enough”?)

“If I was making a list of the top five biggest conspiracy theorists around the National Football League,” Roseman replied, “you would definitely be top five.”

Florio has a style all his own, and a reputation for stirring up “news” with his own personal speculative snark. He deserves credit. At the same time, yes, thinking that hundreds of moves that NFL teams make all deserve a treatment that is half-tin-foil-hat and half-Woodward-and-Bernstein seems … excessive.

MAY 23 PHILBIN MOVE The Dallas Cowboys moved on from Joe Philbin after last year, surely a tough decision for coach Mike McCarthy, who is close to the offensive line coach.

But now the news: Ohio State has reportedly hired Philbin as an offensive analyst. Philbin is the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and he won a Super Bowl as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator under McCarthy.

MAY 23 JUST A B-? The Dallas Cowboys can’t please everyone. So they got to please themselves. Which they certainly did with an offseason that has featured the two big trades to fill needs (in Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks) and an NFL Draft harvest that has them giddy (just like all the other teams).

But in the end? PFF insists it all adds up to just a “B-minus.’‘ No biggie, we suppose. But when we read through the evaluation, we don’t find PFF actually saying anything negative about what the Cowboys actually did.

Which is pretty much the way we feel … which also makes us feel they merit a better grade.

MAY 21 WHAT HE DID Brett Favre has portrayed himself as an unknowing and tangential participant in a Mississippi welfare-embezzlement scheme. But as SI reports it, “it appears nobody benefited more. Interviews and an analysis of legal filings and records, which include dozens of text conversations—some of which have not previously been public—paint Favre as a ringleader from start to finish.”

SI continues: “Favre had promised his alma mater, Southern Miss, that he would build a volleyball facility for his daughter Breleigh’s team there. But he was obsessed with not paying for it himself. So he got Mississippi’s welfare agency to build indoor and beach volleyball facilities for him—using money intended for the poorest people in the nation’s poorest state—and then he kept pushing to get more for a business venture, with the governor often helping him, according to texts from those involved.

Read the full “daily cover story” here.

MAY 20 RODRIGO RIP Rodrigo Barnes, a former Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Super Bowl winner with the Raiders, has died at 73, according to reports. Barnes, a Waco native, was chosen by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1973 Draft – with some saying his civil rights activism is what caused him to be selected so late.

Via to the Dallas Morning News: Barnes was one of first four Black athletes to integrate the Rice athletic program in the fall of 1968. In addition to his accomplishments on the football field – the linebacker became the first Black player to be named to the All-Southwest Conference defensive team – he helped form the Black Student Union and led a movement for the school to hire more minority teachers and coaches.

“Yes, I was an activist,” Barnes told The Dallas Morning News nearly six years ago. “But I wasn’t trying to change the Cowboys, just how you treat people.”

Barnes retired from the NFL in 1977 and earned his Masters degree in education from Prairie View A&M.

MAY 15 QB SURPRISE There is no insult meant here to Andy Dalton; he was highly successful during his time in Cincy and he was a pro’s pro during his brief stint in Dallas.

But … the Carolina Panthers have made a surprising decision on Bryce Young that involves Dalton: Though Young is the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, the Panthers will be giving another quarterback the first-team reps. And accordind to Carolina head coach Frank Reich, that “another QB” is none other than Andy Dalton.

Is this just for OTAs? Is Dalton a placeholder for the inevitable? Are the Panthers being overly careful not to expose the kid to too much too soon? In any event, for now … Well, congrats, Andy!

MAY 12 MAZI MONEY Mazi Smith’s contract numbers are in: … as is he, as the Cowboys rookie minicamp is up and running here at The Star.

The numbers, essentially slotted but with some ESPN details:

Four years, $13.274 million, fully guaranteed. … Bonus: $6.654 million

Annual Base salaries: 2023 – $750,000, 2024 – $1.353 million, 2025 – $1.956 million, 2026 – $2.560 million. And of course Dallas can exercise it’s fifth-year option after the third year of deal.

MAY 4 THE NOOCH! Ben DiNucci, the former Cowboys backup QB, is getting another shot.

DiNucci has earned himself a tryout with the Broncos at their rookie minicamp, the XFL announced this week.

DiNucci, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 2020, has been playing this spring with the Seattle Sea Dragons and led the league in almost every passing category.

The Broncos have Russell Wilson as the starter, with Jarrett Stidham and Jarrett Guarantano behind him.

DiNucci played in three games with one start during his career in Dallas as a Dak Prescott backup and went 23-of-43 for 219 yards passing while in the lineup.

APRIL 29 MAX TO LA The Dallas Cowboys long ago identified TCU QB Max Duggan as the right guy to take a late-round flier on, with owner Jerry Jones saying he was the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl.

But the Chargers obviously saw some of the same things as they have used the No. 239 overall pick, in Round 7, to make their move … so Max moves from Fort Worth to make SoFi Stadium his new home.

APRIL 28 HOOKER TO DETROIT Hendon Hooker, thanks to the Lions having used the 68th pick in this Round 2 of the NFL Draft, will get his shot in Detroit.

The Cowboys have talked about drafting a developmental QB, and they still may do that. But they did have some affection for this quarterback. Hooker is recovering from a torn ACL, but he should be able to play this year.

Jared Goff is the starter in Detroit, so … a healthy Hooker could eventually make things interesting there.

In the meantime, in the Dak Prescott-led QB room in Dallas, the Cowboys could use a later pick on Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell, Houston’s Clayton Tune or Max Duggan of TCU.

APRIL 26 THAT HURTS Not that Texas running back Bijan Robinson has a choice, but …  Robinson joined NFL Live on ESPN this week and was asked by Dan Orlovsky which quarterback he’d most like to play alongside.

“Jalen Hurts,” Robinson said, creating visions of dominance in Philadelphia and creating some nightmares for Cowboys watchers who in some cases are going insanely overboard with panic that Dallas might have to play against Robinson (on the Eagles) rather than with the Cowboys …

The illogic of course being in part that Philly has the No. 10 pick and Dallas has the No. 26 pick, so Philly gets to pick first and that’s just kinda how the NFL Draft works.

APRIL 20 EAGLES HIRE … ? The Eagles apparently “announced” their hiring of controversial coach Matt Patricia – a failure as the Lions head coach and last year an embarrassment for the Patriots as Bill Belichick inexplicably put the defensive-minded staffer in charge of the offense – or did they?

It reportedly popped up on the Eagles website … then was taken down … And right now Eagles boss Nick Sirianni is at his pre-Draft presser trying to explain the mess.

“It’s trending in that direction,” Sirianni said of the planned hiring that wasn’t … but apparently will be again.

APRIL 10 STARS WORKOUT Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons needs a workout.

University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson, prepping for the NFL Draft, needs a workout.

Why not work out together?

APRIL 8 OBJ IN NY Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is to meet with the New York Jets on Monday. … with, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, some specific parameters.

Per Rap Sheet: “The Jets long-awaited meeting with WR Odell Beckham Jr. will be multi-faceted. It will include not only a physical but also a thorough discussion of what to expect in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense with a deep receiver room. How will it all fit together is a big point of discussion.”

OBJ, 30, was once the apple of the eye of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones despite the fact Beckham hasn’t played a down since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. His rumored asking price was $20 million APY, though sources tell CowboysSI.com that he at one point envisioned a “Michael Gallup-like” deal, meaning $13 million APY.

Dallas has moved on with its Brandin Cooks trade. The Jets could be battling with the Ravens for OBJ’s services now.

APRIL 4 AARON TO THE BAY? Wherever Aaron Rodgers goes – or doesn’t go – drama follows.

So he will be taking his drama from Green Bay to the New York Jets via the trade that is taking forever … Unless radio shock jock Craig Carton is right as he’s claimed the San Francisco 49ers might chase Rodgers in a deal involving multiple premium picks.

“They become the team to beat,” Carton said of the 49ers should they land Rodgers.

That’s not really the argument; it’s true enough. The question is whether Carton’s report itself is true.

Surely the Cowboys would like their long-time nemesis Rodgers (who does have Bay Area roots) out of the NFC … even though Dallas is scheduled to play the Jets in 2023.

MARCH 27 NEW NUMBERS The Dallas Cowboys have assigned numbers to their newest roster additions which included two trades and two free agent signings. 

  • Brandin Cooks, WR: #3
  • Stephon Gilmore, CB: #21
  • Ronald Jones, RB: #32
  • Chuma Edoga, OL: #71

Gilmore is taking No. 21, which was worn by ex-Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was released this offseason after seven seasons in Dallas.

It’s certainly significant that Deion Sanders was once No. 21 here. But “Zeke’s 21” being given away just says after his departure? That says something about the door closing there, but also about the respect being shown Gilmore.

MARCH 26 BIJAN TO PHILLY? No offense to Ezekiel Elliott, but as notable as it would be if the Cowboys ex signs with the rival Eagles – as suggested by ESPN’s Adam Schefter in what turns out to be a botched blockbuster of a “story” – a maybe even more scary thought is circulating.

Another running back with Texas ties – Longhorns star Bijan Robinson – recently had a pre-draft visit with the Eagles, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Garafolo notes that Eagles GM Howie Roseman has never selected a running back in the first round, and that the franchise hasn’t taken a first-round runner since 1986.

But Philly with the No. 10 pick? And Bijan being viewed by our scout pals as a top-10 talent? Given what the Eagles already do on offense … yes, a scary Cowboys thought.

MARCH 21 OFFENSIVE LINE ADDITION The Dallas Cowboys have added to their offensive line by signing Chuma Edoga, the ex-Atlanta Falcon who played in just two games this past season. 

Edoga brings experience at both tackle and guard, having played in 24 games with the New York Jets over the span of three seasons. The 25-year-old replenishes depth upfront that was lost when the Buffalo Bills signed starting left guard Connor McGovern via free agency.

The Cowboys worked to trade for him a year ago as a depth piece. Maybe that’s the likely path now, with this one-year deal, depending on the team’s positional plans for Tyron Smith and Tyler Smith.

MARCH 18 RONALD JONES VISIT The Dallas Cowboys are hosting a trio of NFL vets on Monday here at The Star, including former McKinney North High running back and second-round pick Ronald Jones.

The Dallas News reports that Jones, 25, will be joined by linebacker Travin Howard and offensive lineman Chuma Edoga.

Jones (5-11, 205) was drafted by the Bucs out of USC and was on the Chiefs’ Super Bowl roster last year. He could be a helper behind Tony Pollard with Ezekiel Elliott having been cut.

Howard, a Texas native, played at TCU and was a rotational player on the Rams’ recent Super Bowl winner.

The Jets drafted Edoga in the 2019 third round and he played last year with the Falcons.

MARCH 17 SLAY STAYS The Eagles reversed course after essentially announcing they were going to cut 32-year-old cornerback Darius Slay, instead finding a contractual way to retain him.

But for a moment there, he was on the trade block. And there was that Cowboys rumor …

That gave Slay a belly laugh.

ESPN initially tweeted that the Eagles called the Cowboys to gauge their interest in a potential trade for Slay; that turned out to be inaccurate (see below). But before the network could clarify, Slay weighed in.

“Lol I don’t think they would trade me in the division,” Slay said with a crying laughing emoji.

Of course, the Cowboys and Eagles have made trades before, but … point made.

Dallas instead pulled off a trade for another name cornerback, Stephon Gilmore of the Colts, also 32, who will start opposite Trevon Diggs next season. 

The Cowboys gave up just a fifth-round  pick for the five-time All-Pro Gilmore, who will make $7.9 million next season. … and who the Cowboys hope will help make trouble for the NFC East rival Eagles.

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