Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers: Injury News, Matchups & Players To Watch | NFL Week 6 Preview

[Music] All right, the most comments on today’s show, as we do each week, will get a free raffle entry. You probably need at least 50 plus comments to get the free raffle entry. So, flood the comments section right now. Just spam d if you want the Cowboys or just see for the most comments on today’s show gets a raffle entry. Week six matchup. Cowboys on the road against Carolina. I’ve seen this line eb and flow. Three, three and a half. Can find it at two and a half if you’re looking at the right spot by the way. But Cowboys are favored either way by about a field goal on the road over under 49 and a half. Was a lengthy injury report this week for the Cowboys. Let’s dive into it. Tyler Booker, CD Lamb. I think they’re a week away. You know, we’ll revisit this as we need to. I will make note, we are filming this on our Thursday live show. The full final injury report and designations will be in the comments section and the description of today’s show. By the way, Jack Samborn’s concussion seems unlikely. Cavonte Turpin in the foot unlikely as well. Donovan Wilson did return to practice on Thursday, giving him a chance. Dante Fowler practiced Wednesday, did not on Thursday. So, we’ll have to monitor that one as well. These guys were all limited early in the week with with stuff. So, I’m not worried about them. Uh I have called my shot previous like I wonder if they’re going to injury stash a Johnny Cornelius since he got hurt with double knee injuries while not doing anything was really weird. Um so I think those guys, all these guys, Bland, Clowny, Diggs, Gayton, Houston, Sanders, we’ll see about uh that one is maybe the least of this of this group. Tyra Smith, Wania Thomas, Marshon Eland. If I had to guess, I I think all those guys are going to be out there for the Cowboys. Miles Sanders is the one that maybe not so much. And Cornelius, if the O line is healthy, will be a scratch. Anyway, Panthers injury-wise, we’ll monitor Taylor Motton and and Chuba Hubard. Those are the ones that most stand out. It’s a new injury for Taylor Motton, but I think he’s got a chance to play still. Again, see if I look dumb or smart on Sunday. Uh Tuba Hubard’s calf. I think it’s going to be the Rico Dowel game for the Dallas Cowboys. Let’s talk matchups to watch. Number one, the motion from the Cowboys offense against the Panthers defense. I had a tough time finding stats against motion from Carolina’s defense. So, I tried to use the new summer sports AI tool, but didn’t have it for me. This is prediction stats on plays with motion over the last two games played by the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott is playing out of his mind right now. I was uh completing 40 of 57 passes, 459 yards, 8.1 yards per attempt, six touchdowns, zero interceptions so far for Dak Prescott. He in the last two games they’ve boosted the motion and they are cooking with it on that front. I have been extremely impressed with what uh Brian Shanheimer is doing and calling from from that perspective. It is working in Dallas right now. it. I hope they continue to use that motion, get guys moving, get guys like Fenoi whenever Turpin’s back and it puts strain on a spine of the defense in Carolina that I don’t think is that good. What is your confidence level in beating the Panthers? Scale it for me from one to 10. One on the low end, 10 on the high end. It’s the pin comment on today’s show, so if that ad plays here, ignore it. Go vote. 1 to 10 is your scale. match up to watch. Number two, it is the Cowboys third down defense against the third down offense for uh Carolina. The Cowboys, they were better against the Jets and they still have a historically bad third down defense. Opponents converting at a 54.9% clip against the Cowboys. That’s so bad. Carolina converting at a 39.4%. Again, this is like a league average third down offense. Look at the difference there. Like 15%. It’s absurd how bad this Cowboys third down defense is. They have to be better and they have to get off the field on third downs. Number three for me, and this was I I was really interested by this. The interior of this offensive line, a homecoming game of sorts for Brock Hoffman, by the way, against a very perceived stout Panthers interior defensive line. They went out and they signed Bobby Brown. Derrick Brown is a stud. Aan Robinson’s played pretty well. You’re playing one to two backups on the interior. Probably going to be Tyler Smith, Brock Hoffman, TJ Bass. Again, the Panthers run defense this year. A little bit worse than league average in yards per carry. They are actually, and this blew my mind cuz I I I would have I I literally went like, “Okay, let’s go look at outside runs. You’re going to run the ball to the outside against they got Derrick Brown and stuff, right?” No. Carolina is actually the worst team in the NFL when it comes to yards before contact this year on runs inside the tackle. I never would have guessed that. Here’s the overall inside run defense. The presumption of teams, understandably so, is they don’t run the ball up the middle. Carolina is facing the least amount of inside runs. They don’t want to challenge Bobby Brown and Aan Robinson, everybody else. They’re 19th in yards per game, dead last in yards per carry, just a one touchdown. They’ve allowed six explosive runs. They’re only 21st in stuff rate. Now, what does stand out here, and I’ll make note, the other nine numbers are per nextgen stats, NFL.com’s uh advanced sites. The success rate is from summer sports, so there is a possibility. It’s it’s not all the way accurate, but I think it does make some sense. They’re high in success rate. So, when you’re high in yards per carry, kind of high in 10 plus yard runs on a very small sample size, it means you’re allowing some big chunk plays, and that’s why they’re dead last in yards after contact. I think there is the possibility that you can bust some big runs up the middle against this Panthers defense. And Javvante Williams has been one of the NFL’s best running backs, a in general, but also on inside runs. 49 carries, 266 yards, 5.4 on average. His success rate is 49%. He’s been really good. So, I would not Everyone has been scared, understandably so, of Panthers inside runs. I might try it a few times. See, see, see how it goes. Now, today’s show is made possible by ethos. I am a father of not one but two kids now. Got a lot of responsibilities. They count on me and I know how much insurance matters. Life insurance matters. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get your free quote at ethos.com/nflaily. That’s ethos.comnlaily. 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The guy that we and the Cowboys, to be clear, wanted to draft, Tedaroa McMillan. McMillan only has 24 catches on the season. Maybe only is not the right right word for it. Got a pretty high target share. 351 yards. I think he’s done a lot of really good stuff for Carolina on film. The touchdowns are not there yet. Carolina should be a little bit healthier this week. Uh Xavier Legette is going to be back. Um I is back and they might get Jaylen Coker of Cokehead fame uh back for Carolina as well. I’m curious if they put digs I I’d lean diggs on McMillan Bland on somebody else, but maybe they just go sides. We’ll see. I’m very curious how the Cowboys try to cover up the Panthers best receiver in McMillan who does some of his best work over the middle where if the Cowboys are in zone, he will get to take advantage of the linebackers. I expect to see a lot of deep digs for McMillan. All right, next up is George Pickkins against JC Horn. And we mentioned it last week like how can you take advantage of non uh Sauce Gardener corners? Cowboys did a good job of that. They still got Pickkins going with a one touchdown catch. And I think they’ll try to get him a little bit more involved against what I assume is going to be JC Horn. I Mike Jackson, Cowboys legend uh against George Pickkins is not a matchup I think Carolina wants to employ that much. Pickings this year, five touchdowns already matching his previous single season high in his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. JC Horn though is having himself a year uh 38.1% completion rate. That is He is when healthy, he’s been really good. 21 targets, eight catches allowed per pro football reference this year. He’d been good. I still wonder if you can take advantage of him though, just a little bit. If Pickkins is good enough to to justify it. Now, who scores the first touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys? Is it Pickins? Is it Ferguson? That was the answer last week, by the way. Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. All right, player to watch number five, Jake Ferguson. We we nailed it last week. You know, we gave away the sign Jake Ferguson jersey and it worked wonders. He had two touchdowns in the game. He’s playing at a mostly great level. I think he’s a better been a better blocker this year. He’s not ever going to be a great blocker. Um who he is. The one thing I want to see from Ferguson is make more guys miss tackles. Be even more dynamic. Bring me back the hurdle in Fergie. Not the try to make a guy miss and fall down Fergie. Don’t become Zack Hurt Z. Be more at that. Be more like like Tucker Craft has been uh in over the course of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Ferguson have been the league leader in force miss tackles. Hasn’t been as good as that uh this year. I think against a Panthers linebacking court that I don’t think is that good. I think take advantage of guys like Christian Roseboom and and Trevon Wallace. I think Ferguson could have a nice day. Number four is Shamar James. My guess and it’s a guess you’re not going to have Jack Samborn due to concussion. So, Kenneth Murray will be your middle linebacker. And on passing downs, it will be Shamar James over Maurice Leaf out there in coverage. James had a bunch of tackles in coverage, which isn’t always a good thing. In fact, in general, I actually think coverage tackles is normally a bad thing because it means you’re normally getting beat in coverage. Specifically though, last week that was keep everything in front of you, let the clock bleed off, be super conservative. So, I wasn’t as upset about it. There are times though, look, I know we’re all mad at Sanborn. He’s not been good this year. I do think there was a pretty stark difference against the Jets when Sanborn went out of that game with with a concussion and how they fit the run against Bree Hall. I think your linebackers have to be better in that area. Now, we will be live for the Cowboys Panthers matchup. Our watch party will begin 11:15 a.m. Eastern time. Hit that sub button so you don’t miss out. Let’s go to number three. That is Ryan Fenoy, the wide receiver. I loved what I saw last week. I mean, how can you not? It was the Fenoy game. He might get a chance to do it again, you know. Are they That was not a name I think Jets fans knew of, which it would be kind of impressive if they did. Maybe they have no life or they’re deep, deep fantasy people. But Floyd was great for the year. 10 catches, 149 yards, and no touchdowns yet. That I mean, they got him involved on jet sweeps. They’re like, he can just do the Kamonte Turpin stuff. It’s fine. Like I I am excited to see what Ryan Fenoy is able to do in this matchup. Can he can he build on it? Can this be more of a Miles Austin breakout or is it just the one random Kevin Ogle tree game? And do you bring back Mingo this week for a revenge game? We shall see. Number two player to watch, Donovan Ezaraku. The numbers aren’t there yet for easy. I think it is coming. He was close several times last week to bringing down Justin Fields for his first sack of the campaign. My hot take in this one. This is the game that Ezaraku gets a sack that the the the damn burst so to speak and after showing some flashes even against the run two. Ezrau has his first sack of the season. So, do you agree with me? Is this the week EZ gets his first sack? Why for yes, N for no? Let me know in the comments section of today’s show. Number one though is Dak Prescott. Of course, like it’s just it’s he has to play great. You’re you’re not going to win games with the way your defense has played unless your quarterback plays great. Good news, he’s played great this year. Uh Dak is off to one of his best starts to a season. He looks co in complete control of this entire Cowboys team and the offense and everything is is operating well for Dak Prescott right now. So hopefully that continues against a inconsistent but shows flashes of being great Panthers defense. [Music]

Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers NFL Week 6 preview! Cowboys Report host Tom Downey breaks down the Cowboys injury report, top matchups and players to watch when the Cowboys visit the Panthers. Cowboys injury news focuses on a LONG Cowboys injury report with 5 players ruled out and a bunch of key players questionable with a real chance to play, like Marhawn Kneeland, DaRon Bland, Tyler Smith and more. The Cowboys have yet to win back-to-back games this year, can they finally do it as road favorites? We’ve got the Cowboys vs. Panthers preview!

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Dallas Cowboys injury report:
– Tyler Booker: Ankle (OUT)
– CeeDee Lamb: Ankle (OUT)
– Jack Sanborn: Concussion (OUT)
– KaVontae Turpin: Foot (OUT)
– Miles Sanders: Knee (OUT – Has since been placed on IR)
– Donovan Wilson: Elbow/Knee (No Designation, will play)
– Dante Fowler Jr.: Illness (No Designation, will play)
– DaRon Bland: Shoulder (Questionable, Good chance to play)
– Jadeveon Clowney: Hip (No Designation, will play)
– Ajani Cornelius: Knee/Knee (Questionable, will likely be inactive even if healthy)
– Trevon Diggs: Knee (Questionable, Good chance to play)
– Tyler Guyton: Concussion (No Designation, will play)
– James Houston: Knee (No Designation, will play)
– Tyler Smith: Knee (Questionable, Good chance to play)
– Juanyeh Thomas: Ankle (No Designation, will play)
– Marshawn Kneeland: Ankle (Questionable, Good chance to play)

Carolina Panthers injury report:
– Akayleb Evans: OUT (Hamstring)
– Chuba Hubbard:OUTDNP (Calf)
– Taylor Moton: OUT (Elbow)
– Tershawn Wharton: OUT (Toe)
– Ja’Tavion Sanders: Questionable (Ankle)

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Cowboys vs. Panthers matchups to watch:
#1: Motion vs. Panthers D
#2: 3rd down defense vs. 3rd down offense
#3: IOL vs. Derrick Brown
#4: Tetiaroa McMillan vs. Diggs/Bland
#5: George Pickens vs. Jaycee Horn

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Cowboys players to watch vs. the Panthers:
#5 Jake Ferguson (TE)
#4: Shemar James (LB)
#3: Ryan Flournoy (WR)
#2: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE)
#1: Dak Prescott (QB)

Watch these Cowboys YouTube videos for the latest Cowboys news & rumors:
– Dallas Cowboys Rumors Mailbag On Jalen Tolbert, Trey Hendrickson Trade & Re-Signing Javonte Williams – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACVn0HFyVW0
– Cowboys Rumors On DeMarvion Overshown, Shavon Revel, Sign Stephon Gilmore & Alvin Kamara Trade? | QA – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTp8lSz3s7o
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2024 Cowboys Stats Leaders (Rushing):
Javonte Williams: 79 carries, 447 yards, 5 TD
Miles Sanders: 20 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD
KaVontae Turpin: 6 carries, 23 yards, 0 TD
Dak Prescott: 12 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD

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Cowboys vs. Panthers where to watch | NFL Week 6
Spread: Cowboys -3.5
Total (O/U): 49.5
Time / Date: 1p ET | Sunday, October 12th, 2025
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX

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40 comments

  9. Dallas Cowboys injury report:
    – Tyler Booker: Ankle (OUT)
    – CeeDee Lamb: Ankle (OUT)
    – Jack Sanborn: Concussion (OUT)
    – KaVontae Turpin: Foot (OUT)
    – Miles Sanders: Knee (OUT – Has since been placed on IR)
    – Donovan Wilson: Elbow/Knee (No Designation, will play)
    – Dante Fowler Jr.: Illness (No Designation, will play)
    – DaRon Bland: Shoulder (Questionable, Good chance to play)
    – Jadeveon Clowney: Hip (No Designation, will play)
    – Ajani Cornelius: Knee/Knee (Questionable, will likely be inactive even if healthy)
    – Trevon Diggs: Knee (Questionable, Good chance to play)
    – Tyler Guyton: Concussion (No Designation, will play)
    – James Houston: Knee (No Designation, will play)
    – Tyler Smith: Knee (Questionable, Good chance to play)
    – Juanyeh Thomas: Ankle (No Designation, will play)
    – Marshawn Kneeland: Ankle (Questionable, Good chance to play)

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