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The health speculation around the Dallas Cowboys this week has centered around their top pass catcher and someone who used to stop the other team’s pass catcher.
Receiver CeeDee Lamb is trending in the right direction after sustaining a concussion against Detroit last Thursday and has put the three extra days of rest to good use.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs, meanwhile, doesn’t look any closer to getting on the field. Has he played his last game with Dallas?
Meanwhile, former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy may be closer to making a head coaching return. As Dallas gets ready to make a last stand for its playoff life against Minnesota on Sunday night, here’s what they are doing.
Trevon Diggs
One of the more mysterious subplots to this Dallas season is the present and future of former NFL All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, who has been out since October with a concussion sustained in his home.
He came off injured reserve three weeks ago but has yet to be activated for a game, leading to speculation that he may have played his last game with the Cowboys.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer didn’t do much to dampen that speculation when asked about Diggs’ status.
“In terms of Trevon, he’s still in the ramp (up) period,” Schottenheimer said in Wednesday’s media availability. “I think he does feel healthy. I know he wants to play, but at the end of the day, we have to do what we think is the best interest of not just him, but also the football team, and when you miss some time, there’s the ramp-up period.
“It is not just for your body, but for your mind and figuring out some of the defense, and there’s some new faces in the huddle and things like that. So again, love him as a player, but ultimately he’s got to show us he’s ready to do everything the right way.”
Diggs, who led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 when he was a first-team All-NFL player, has been in sharp decline the past two years and was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league in the first six games this year before his concussion.
The Cowboys would save roughly $54 million in cap space over the next three years by releasing him when this season ends.
CeeDee Lamb was on the practice field for a second straight day as he works back from a concussion. Barring setback, it would appear as if he will play Sunday against the Vikings.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 11, 2025Will CeeDee Lamb play?
A Dallas team in need of some good news is getting it in the form of the recovery of receiver CeeDee Lamb from a concussion. He practiced Thursday with a guardian helmet on, but appeared fine.
Per ESPN’s Dallas Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, “CeeDee Lamb was on the practice field for a second straight day as he works back from a concussion. Barring setback, it would appear as if he will play Sunday against the Vikings.”
J.J. McCarthy
Next up for the Dallas defense is the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The second-year quarterback, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Michigan, missed all of last year with a knee injury suffered in the preseason. He was the opening day starter this year.
He’s having the typical first-year quarterback struggles, completing 56% of his passes with 10 interceptions and nine touchdowns. However, he is coming off his best game as a pro, against the Washington Commanders, when he was 16-of-23 for 163 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 31-0 win.
Minnesota is loaded at receiver and has Cowboys killer Aaron Jones rushing the ball for them, so getting after McCarthy with a pass rush seems Dallas’ best path to victory. McCarthy has the worst passer rating in the league and takes sacks at the second-highest rate in the NFL.
Mike McCarthy
Former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy (no relation to J.J.) has emerged as a frontrunner for the Tennessee Titans vacant job, per a report from Sports Illustrated.
Conor Orr writes: “McCarthy, 62, is viewed by some as an early front-runner for the Titans’ vacancy given his experience at the quarterback position and the Titans needing to maximize 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward. Though there are some conflicting opinions emerging that Tennessee may value a younger voice in the building.”
When do the Dallas Cowboys play again?
The Dallas Cowboys play again Sunday night when they host the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Kickoff is set for 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
What channel is Dallas playing on?
The Cowboys will play the Vikings Sunday night on NBC, with a streaming option on Peacock.
Dallas Cowboys playoff chances
Per ESPN’s Power Football Index, Dallas has a 9.7% chance of making the playoffs, with most of that attributed to an 8.6% chance to win the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys beanie
Dallas Cowboys stocking caps are one of the best deals on the team website, ranging from $17 to $28 and available by Christmas.
Dallas Cowboys remaining schedule
The Cowboys have four regular-season games remaining.
15 Sun, Dec. 14 Minnesota, 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m. CT, NBC
16. Sun. Dec. 21 Los Angeles Chargers, 11 a.m. MT/noon CT FOX
17. Thu. Dec. 25 at Washington, 11 a.m. MT/noon CT, Netflix
18. TBD at New York Giants, TBD
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @BrMTbloomquist on X.