Cowboys Headlines: Carson closer, McCarthy calls out penalties, T.J. Watt chasing history vs Dallas

Injuries will be the word of the week in Dallas. We've got the latest on how the Cowboys will look to deal with DeMarcus Lawrence's absence, and Micah Parsons is about to do something he's never done before. Two of the team's cornerbacks are working to be ready by gameday, but one appears to be closer to getting the green light for Sunday. And which is the better remedy for a depleted Dallas D: a midseason trade, or a change to the entire scheme? We'll explore both options and tell you why the Cowboys brass is downplaying one of them.

Elsewhere, Week 4's win gave the Cowboys a slight boost in the power rankings, a former Cowboys great gets real about a division rival, and the Steelers' top defensive weapon will be on the hunt for a place in the record books this weekend. All that, plus what Mike McCarthy had to say about his team one-quarter of the way into the season, and what Dak Prescott had to say about the unexpected way he first met the hero of last Thursday's game.

Updates: Carson on track vs. Steelers, Bland latest :: The Mothership

Caelen Carson is on track to return against the Steelers, but DaRon Bland is seen as a longer shot to be ready to go. "I think [Bland] is really starting to pick it up now, in terms of the workload that Britt [Brown] is giving him," Stephen Jones said Monday. "We'll continue to monitor his situation as we move forward."

'Figured myself invincible': Micah Parsons coming to grips with likelihood of sitting out Week 5 :: Cowboys Wire

Parsons is officially "week-to-week," but he appears to be on the verge of missing his first football game at any level ever because of injury. (He did have to sit out a game as a rookie due to COVID protocols.) The linebacker says he's working to get back as soon as possible, but he is conscious of not rushing back too fast and re-injuring himself worse. Coach McCarthy said, "We're preparing to play without him."

Cowboys counting on depth with Parsons, Lawrence injured :: ESPN

The Cowboys have been relying on depth guys plenty already this season. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye, for example, picked off the Giants' last-ditch effort on Thursday night. He had actually made a big impression upon joining the Cowboys, intercepting Dak Prescott on his very first day of practice with the team. Said Prescott: "I said something to him the next day. 'That's the only one you're going to get the whole time you're here.' He goes, 'No, I'm a ball guy.' I like that. We'll see."

More 3-4 looks may cover Cowboys' temporary personnel problem :: Cowboys Wire

Being without Parsons and Lawrence is not ideal. But instead of inadequately filling the need at defensive end with role players, Mike Zimmer may be better served to mix up the front seven entirely. For the first time in a while, the strength of the roster appears to be the LB position, so it only makes sense for the Cowboys to lean on it with a 3-4 look. DeMarvion Overshown would become the unit's chief pass rusher from an outside LB spot in this proposed shuffle.

Stephen Jones: Cowboys won't be making any phone calls about in-season trades :: Cowboys Wire

The Cowboys EVP suggested that if there is to be a midseason trade, it will have to be because another team reaches out first. "We'll keep our lines of communications open around the league," Jones said on the radio Monday. "And if something presents itself, then we'll certainly look at it." He believes nobody would be willing to part with a quality player so early in the season, but added, "People who might have an inkling to do something, I'm sure we'll hear from them."

Ranking the Cowboys' position groups: 2 spots dragging down Dallas and 1 big standout :: The Athletic

The special teams unit is clearly leading the pack in Dallas, while quarterback and defensive end play has been mostly solid. The linebackers have improved over last year, and the corners will benefit once Bland is back. But poor tackling from the safeties and lackluster play from the defensive tackles have those groups near the bottom. And those running backs? Yikes.

While wait for Dallas Cowboys debut continues, RB Dalvin Cook stays patient and 'fresh' :: Dallas Morning News

The veteran is staying patient and ready, even as the current running back committee continues to struggle. Going into Monday night's games, the Cowboys had the third-fewest rushing yards (301) with the fifth-fewest attempts (85) in the NFL. "We just got to get into a rhythm as a team and as an offense and get some more reps, more plays out there," Cook said as he waits to get called up from the practice squad.

Cowboys open as 2.5-point underdogs on road for NFL Week 5 against Steelers :: Cowboys Wire

The Cowboys are road underdogs in Week 4, with the over/under opening at 42 points. The Money Line is currently set for +110. Those figures come from Bet MGM's odds and are subject to change as the game draws closer.

McCarthy's hopes Cowboys 'learned from' September struggles :: The Mothership

"I think you are who you are after four games," said the Cowboys head coach. Even so, he hopes his crew can improve their fundamentals and technique, and they simply must clean up their penalty problem. "We've way too many third-down penalties, way too many red zone penalties, and a couple of two-minute penalties," McCarthy explained. "That affects scoring, it affects the opportunity for the offense to have the ball more, and it affects the defense being on the field longer."

NFL power rankings Week 5: Bucs & Commanders storm Top 10, Bills & Saints tumble, Chiefs or Vikings No. 1? :: Cowboys Wire

The Week 4 win helped the Cowboys climb five spots to No. 14, only one ahead of Atlanta and just one back from San Francisco (both of whom are coming up on the schedule). The Washington Commanders have made a shocking vault into the top 10; Philadelphia falls to 20th, and the Giants sit at No. 29.

T.J. Watt struggles in Week 4: History will have to wait another week :: Steelers Wire

With Watt's next sack, he'll become the second-fastest payer to reach 100 in his career. On 30 pass plays by Indianapolis this past Sunday, Pittsburgh notched two sacks, but Watt got neither. Colts right tackle Braden Smith held Watt to just one QB pressure across 21 matchups; the other O-linemen had just eight combined matchups with Watt. Terence Steele could be in for a long day in Week 5.

Dez Bryant: Washington Commanders are 'going to be a problem' this season :: Dallas Morning News

The former Cowboys receiver said on social media, "I give a lot of credit to coach Dan Quinn because he know how to get the right coaches and he put his players in the best position to play some football!" Washington is now 3-1 atop the NFC East, thanks largely to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Dallas won't face the Commanders until Nov. 24.