Cowboys Make a Whopping 9 Key Roster Moves for Commanders

FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys are having to shuffle the deck a bit in the wake of the news that All-Pro right guard Zack Martin along with Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs are a couple of no-go’s for Sunday at the Washington Commanders. Actually, let us amend that: They are shuffling deck a lot. Martin has has missed just 11 games in 11 outstanding seasons.

But he’s now 34 and considering retirement after this 2024 season … and so a literally “changing of the guard” is coming. And we will get an early glimpse of part of that process as this 3-7 team heads to Washington for a Sunday meeting.

Martin, who is dealing with injuries to a shoulder and to both ankles, is a headliner here in terms of who will not play, as is Diggs (groin/knee). Neither are even traveling to Washington. But other changes are in play here, too, against the 7-4 Commanders, who are double-digit favorites in this one … with Dallas making a whopping nine roster decisions on Saturday.

Related: Would Tony Romo Coach the Cowboys? To wit: Markquese Bell is now on Reserve/Injured. Waived is end KJ Henry. Activated are tackle Chuma Edoga and end Marshawn Kneeland from Reserve/Injured. Elevated are tight end Princeton Fant and cornerback Kemon Hall from the practice squad.

Receiver Brandin Cooks, who was also on Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return, was not activated. Jake Ferguson, meanwhile, is out due to a concussion). And DaRon Bland (foot) may be good to go on the way to being able to join defensive leader Micah Parsons to make his season debut against rookie QB Jayden Daniels and the upstart Commanders.

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Commanders Dan Quinn Fears One Cowboys Player Most

The Washington Commanders take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12, and Dan Quinn will face his former employer for the first time. Quinn was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys from 2021 through 2023, so naturally, he has some intel on the roster currently under Mike McCarthy’s guidance.

While the Cowboys have changed since Quinn left, there is still a host of players that Dan knows well, and what threat they possess. One such player is speed merchant KaVontae Turpin, and Quinn knows how devastating he can be with ball in hand. “He’s got an amazing journey, from TCU to playing football in Poland to the Spring League to the NFL,” Quinn said. “It’s the speed, he’s quick and fast.

We’ve all seen players who have quickness laterally, but maybe some of those athletes don’t have the long speed, and sometimes a running back or a slot receiver. Then there’s other guys who are super fast straight away but not change dire to with KaVontae has got quick and fast and then the ball skills as a returner, those are the things that set him apart.