Updates: Hoffman signed; Jefferson, McKeon elevated
12:00 p.m. – The Dallas Cowboys signed C Brock Hoffman to the active roster and elevated LB Malik Jefferson and TE Sean McKeon from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game vs. New England.
TE Peyton Hendershot (ankle) is listed as questionable with a Friday practice injury along with C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) who missed the game against Arizona. Jefferson’s elevation comes on the heels of LB Devin Harper being waived on Thursday and claimed on Friday by the Cincinnati Bengals.
September 29 Updates
3:36 p.m. – For the second straight week, Tyron Smith will not play although this time, he’s being ruled out and won’t be in uniform.
The Cowboys placed Smith officially as “out” on the team’s final injury report on Friday. Smith has been dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in practice last week.
Against the Cardinals, he was in uniform mainly for the Cowboys to comply with the NFL rules to make sure eight offensive linemen are suited out, but he was never expected to play.
The Cowboys should have eight dressed out this week with both Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz both trending to play or at least be game-time decisions.
3:17 p.m. – Peyton Hendershot showed up on the injury report with an ankle injury.
The second-year tight end is listed as questionable on the injury report.
So far this year, he hasn’t had a major impact in the offense, other than serving as a blocker. He has one catch for three yards and one carry for no gain at the goal line.
If he can’t play, the Cowboys could elevate Sean McKeon from the practice squad or perhaps use Hunter Luepke in more of an H-back role, playing behind tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker.
2:53 p.m. – Second-year linebacker Devin Harper, who was waived on Thursday with the intention of being signed back to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday.
Harper’s stint with Dallas ends after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 draft and playing in six games for the Cowboys, including the first three contests of 2023.
1:00 p.m. – In Friday’s conference call with the media, head coach Mike McCarthy said that he feels “optimistic” about the likelihood of Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) and Zack Martin (ankle) playing on Sunday against the Patriots, with the caveat that “one big threshold” needing to be overcome will be during Saturday’s practice.
As for Tyron Smith (knee), he remains working with the rehab group as the optimism isn’t quite as bright for the starting left tackle.
3:27 p.m. – For the second consecutive day, left tackle Tyron Smith was listed as “DNP” on the injury report for Thursday’s practice with the Cowboys.
The veteran was unable to play last week against the Cardinals because of a knee injury. Although he was active for the game and suited out, he did not play in the game and replaced by Chuma Edoga.
Head coach Mike McCarthy chose not to answer when asked this week if there would be any changes to the lineup, including possibly moving Tyler Smith from left guard to left tackle.
Tyler Biadasz and Zack Martin were both upgrade from DNP to limited on Thursday with a better chance to play on Sunday against New England.
11:27 a.m. – During head coach Mike McCarthy’s press conference on Thursday morning, he said that the three starting offensive linemen that missed last Sunday’s game against Arizona will increase their workload during Thursday’s practice as they look to return in time for Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots.
“I think we’ll see those guys do a little more today,” McCarthy said. “Tyler and Zack will be on a limited basis. Tyron will be with the rehab group today.”
Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) and Zack Martin (ankle) will both participate in practice while Tyron Smith (knee) is expected to be a DNP listing once again. All three worked with the rehab group on Wednesday.
3:12 p.m. – The Cowboys had three starting offensive linemen miss last Sunday’s game in Arizona. And on the first practice day of this week, all of them, along with one other linemen, are on the injury report again.
Zack Martin (ankle), Tyron Smith (knee) and Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) all missed practice on Wednesday. Chuma Edoga (elbow) was listed as limited in practice.
The Cowboys are hoping to get some of the injured guys back for practice by Thursday as they prepare for the Patriots on Sunday.
Two other players – CeeDee Lamb and DeMarcus Lawrence – missed practice for rest/precautionary reasons.
12:30 p.m. – The Dallas Cowboys added depth to their offensive line on Wednesday morning with the addition of center Billy Price to the practice squad. With Brock Hoffman having already used all three of his practice squad elevations for the season, Price adds depth to a position that has already needed replacement with Tyler Biadasz having to miss week three to a hamstring injury.
Price, a former first round pick by Cincinnati in 2018, has played in 69 career games including 45 starts. After playing for the Bengals for three seasons, Price was traded to the Giants in 2021. Price served a brief stint on the Raiders practice squad in 2022 before being signed to the Cardinals’ active roster for the rest of the season. His most recent stint came with the Saints as he was signed by New Orleans in June before being cut ahead of training camp in July.
Price was a Rimington Trophy winner in college for Ohio State, which is awarded to the nation’s top collegiate center. His unanimous All-American nod in 2017 paved the way for his first round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.