Why Jerry Jones wants his team to be aggressive as injury bug continues to strike Dallas Cowboys
Speaking after the introductory ceremony for the arrival of the IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Arlington in March 2026, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones complimented the team’s ability to overcome adversity and find a win on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A big part of the adversity that his team has faced through five weeks is seeing multiple starters on both sides of the ball go down for extended periods of time with various injuries. In the week five matchup in Pittsburgh, the Cowboys were without defensive end Micah Parsons (ankle), defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee).
As the game went on, the Cowboys lost their top two rookie draft picks in offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (knee) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee).
Despite the injury issues, his team was still able to steal a last-minute win in a tough road environment that has seen opponents go 42-109-1 all-time at Acrisure Stadium against the Steelers.
“It shows me that our guys do step up,” Jones said. “You have to have that. If you’re going to have a winning team over the course of a year with the injury attrition you can have, you got to have young players step up. That, to me, was the most important thing about the other night.”
Jones said that Parsons and Bland are close to making their returns from injury to bolster the defense, although the expectation is that they will retake the field after the team’s week seven bye. Guyton has a “good chance to play” against Detroit on Sunday afternoon, Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning before taking the short helicopter ride to Arlington for Tuesday’s event.
Rookie Marshawn Kneeland is likely headed to the injured reserve list after a procedure on Tuesday to trim a meniscus injury that occurred on Sunday, according to team sources.
Factoring in Sam Williams’ season-ending knee injury at training camp with the injuries to Parsons, Lawrence and Kneeland, the Cowboys are reeling for depth at the defensive end position. They were able to finish the game in Pittsburgh with just Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat and Carl Lawson, and Jones is content with letting the depth unit ride it out despite fans asking for the team to be aggressive in pursuing outside help.
“I agree with being aggressive, but the guys we got out there can be aggressive,” Jones said. “We’ve got guys on the practice squad that can step up there and make those plays in volume. Aggressive in the sense of being aggressive in letting the guys you have in this depth go play.”
Newly acquired K.J. Henry was inactive on gameday against the Steelers but is expected to be ready to go against the Lions. Lawson has used all three of his allocated practice squad elevations and would need to be signed to the 53-man roster to play another game this season.
On Sunday against Pittsburgh, a half-sack was attributed to Lawson, Golston and Wheat in the win in addition to 10 combined tackles from the trio of defensive ends.
“The more of your depth that can play, that’s a positive,” Jones said. “You’re in a dream world if you don’t think you’re going to have to play depth in the NFL. If that depth is young, then that’s another step for the future games that are coming down the road this year.”
