The last time Fox broadcaster and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady attended a Raiders game, he created a stir by sitting in the coaches’ box with a headset and a tablet. Many who previously hadn’t fully appreciated the inherent conflict of interest between Brady’s two roles had an epiphany regarding the problems with having access to the league at large and owing a fiduciary duty to one specific team.
The Week 2 Monday night development became a big deal until the next bright, shiny object came along to distract us three nights later, in the form of the Thursday night game to start Week 3. By then it died down, with the league doubling down on its decision to let Brady do both, Brady (who privately was livid over the criticism, we’re told) writing a strident, accusatory newsletter chastising anyone would who dare question his decision to wear two hats that can’t fit on one head, and the entire incident slipping into the ever-growing bog of post-standards America.
Brady skipped the Week 10 Thursday night game between the Raiders and Broncos, opting to attend an event in Miami instead. Tonight, he’s present for the Raiders’ Week 11 game against the Cowboys.
During the first quarter, ESPN cameras showed him in a suite, hanging out with friend, confidant, and business partner Jim Gray, who reportedly advises Raiders owner Mark Davis and brokered Brady’s below-market sweetheart deal to buy a piece of the franchise.
Brady possibly realizes it’s a bad look to be working with the team’s coaches during a game. He also possibly realizes that, by Week 11, nothing he does will help the 2-7 Raiders.
Either way, Brady is doing what he should have done in Week 2 — watching the game as a fan, hobnobbing with others, and enjoying the spread from P.F. Chang’s.
Cowboys starting wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens did not play the first possession.
Lisa Salters of ESPN reports that it was a coach’s decision and that Brian Schottenheimer would have to address whether it was for disciplinary reasons. Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram quoted a source as saying, “They missed some things.”
The Cowboys ran Javonte Williams twice, and then, on third-and-4, Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin were the receivers on the field. Dak Prescott threw an incompletion.
Lamb and Pickens stood on the sideline, wearing their helmets.
The Pro Bowl receivers are on the field for the team’s second possession after a Raiders punt.
The Cowboys will see the return of safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker on Monday night. Both players are active.
Wilson (elbow/shoulder) has not played since Week 7, and Hooker (toe) last played in Week 4.
Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will make his 2025 debut after multiple torn knee ligaments that prematurely ended his 2024 season. Rookie cornerback Shavon Revel, a third-round pick, will make his NFL debut after a knee injury at East Carolina ended his final college season.
The Cowboys’ inactives are defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (calf), running back Jaydon Blue, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, linebacker Damone Clark, cornerback Trikweze Bridges and offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji.
The Raiders’ inactives are guard Caleb Rogers, wide receiver Alex Bachman, defensive tackle JJ Pegues, defensive tackle Leki Fotu, safety Chris Smith II and running back Zamir White.
Alex Cappa will start at right guard in place of Jackson Powers-Johnson, who went on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
As expected, the Cowboys will get one of their defensive contributors back on Monday night.
Dallas announced safety Malik Hooker has been activated off of injured reserve for the Week 11 matchup with the Raiders.
Hooker has been sidelined by a toe injury suffered Week 4. In his fifth season with the Cowboys, Hooker has registered 20 total tackles so far this season.
As a corresponding move, the Cowboys have placed offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius on injured reserve with a knee issue.
Dallas has also elevated running back Malik Davis from the practice squad to the active roster. Davis has appeared in three games so far this season, playing 10 offensive snaps and 52 special teams snaps.
The Cowboys will be welcoming Quinnen Williams to their defensive line for Monday night’s game against the Raiders, but they’re set to play without a longer-tenured member of the group.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Saturday that defensive tackle Solomon Thomas is unlikely to play. Thomas, who was also teammates with Williams on the Jets, is dealing with a calf injury.
Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson are set to make their Cowboys debuts after being acquired in trades ahead of the November 4 deadline. They’re also set to get several players back from long absences.
Schottenheimer said safety Malik Hooker (toe) is trending toward playing. Hooker is on injured reserve, so a roster move will need to be made for him to be able to play Monday. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Shavon Revel were activated earlier this week, so there will be a different look on defense in several areas.
Safety Donovan Wilson (elbow) is also moving in the right direction to be available for the Cowboys on Monday. Wilson last played in Week 7.
