The phone lines at AT&T Stadium stayed completely quiet when the NFL trade deadline arrived. Despite weeks of speculation, the Dallas Cowboys received zero calls about trading wide receiver George Pickens. This silence confirms the front office feels secure with their current roster, even with a 4-5 record. The lack of offers suggests other teams do not see Pickens as a high-value asset right now. The Dallas Morning News reported that the franchise received no phone calls regarding the wide receiver, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer has his hands full with a squad that is physically broken. Eight players sat out practice on Wednesday, leaving the team with very few healthy options. The injury list includes key names like Jake Ferguson, Joey Porter Jr., and Pickens himself. Ferguson and running back Tyler Goodson both missed practice because they suffered knee injuries during the win over the Colts. Schottenheimer said on Monday that both players would miss multiple weeks of action.
The Injury Reality Check
The team simply cannot risk trading a player when they have so many bodies on the sidelines. Pickens was listed as limited in practice due to a hamstring issue. He also missed the game against Indianapolis last Sunday. The coaching staff is trying to manage a long list of banged-up players who need to be ready for the 49ers. Schottenheimer explained the situation clearly when he said, “Got a bunch of guys banged up. And see who moves around okay today.”
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is one of the few bright spots who is healthy and playing at a high level. He has recorded four sacks and 10 tackles for loss over his last four games. His focus remains on stopping the San Francisco offense, not on making roster moves. Williams stated that he wants to win no matter what team they play or when the game takes place.
A Message To The Coaching Staff
Yahoo Sports suggests this quiet deadline sends a specific message to the coaching staff. The team did not add any significant depth, leaving Schottenheimer with the exact roster he had before the deadline. Only running back Kendre Miller was signed to the practice squad to fill a gap left by Tyler Goodson. The franchise has to make the current group work or accept the consequences of a losing season.
The Cowboys face a massive test this Sunday against a 7-1 San Francisco 49ers team. The game is set for 3:25 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium on Fox. Dallas needs to find a way to get healthy players on the field to have any chance. Schottenheimer noted regarding the injured Porter Jr., “The most important thing is trying to find a way to make sure we get him on the field.”
