The Cowboys freed up $19 million by trading Micah Parsons to the Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark, which upped their cap space to $42 million. They used part of the added room to sign cornerback DaRon Bland to a four-year, $90 million extension this week.
The Cowboys are expected to extend the contract of left guard Tyler Smith next, with agent Joe Panos having been in Oxnard, California, during training camp. It still could come before the season opener Thursday, but Smith isn’t sweating it.
“Everything will happen in due time,” Smith said Tuesday, via Patrik Walker of the team website. “The most important thing is focusing on Thursday.”
Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, has become the leader of the offensive line after the offseason retirement of right guard Zack Martin. The Cowboys exercised Smith’s fifth-year option for 2026, but Smith became eligible for an extension after the 2024 season.
Chiefs guard Trey Smith reset the market for guards this offseason, signing a four-year, $94 million extension.
Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs remained a full participant in Tuesday’s practice, putting him on track to play Thursday’s season opener at Philadelphia.
Diggs has made it through a full week of practice after previously not having practiced or played with teammates since Dec. 9 when he injured his left knee. That ended Diggs’ 2024 season after 11 games. He played only two games in 2023 before tearing his left ACL during a Week 3 practice.
Diggs’ 2025 season was in doubt when he underwent chondral bone graft surgery on his left knee Jan. 23. The surgery transplants pieces of bone tissue into the joint to stimulate growth.
The only player the Cowboys might not have available Thursday night is defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, who remained out of practice Tuesday with a back issue.
Left tackle Tyler Guyton (knee) and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (ankle) again were full participants.
Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson took a big step toward playing on Thursday night during Tuesday’s practice.
Dickerson returned to practice after sitting out on Monday because of a back issue and the team’s injury report shows that he was a full participant. Dickerson missed most of training camp after having a knee procedure, but head coach Nick Sirianni said on Tuesday that the back is the only current health concern.
Safety Andrew Mukuba (hamstring) and linebacker Josh Uche (groin) also moved up to full practice after being limited on Monday. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder) remained a full participant.
Quarterback Tanner McKee (right thumb) missed a second practice, which suggests that the recently acquired Sam Howell will be backing up Jalen Hurts against the Cowboys.
Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson was one of two players to miss practice on Monday and head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t offer much of a hint about his status for Thursday night during a Tuesday press conference.
Dickerson provided a positive update of his own shortly after that press conference came to an end. Dickerson was on the field and dressed for practice as the Eagles continued their preparations for the Cowboys.
Dickerson missed most of the summer after having a knee procedure, but he was listed on Monday’s injury report with a back issue. Sirianni said that the back is the only reason why Dickerson was out of practice and that he’s been fully cleared to return from the knee problem.
Brett Toth stepped into the first team on Monday, but Tuesday’s return to work suggests he’ll be in a backup role on Thursday night.
Quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb) was the other player out on Monday and he’s still not throwing at Tuesday’s session. Sam Howell would back up Jalen Hurts as long as McKee remains out.
Once again, the Eagles have a new offensive coordinator in 2025.
Since Shane Steichen left the organization after the 2022 season to become the Colts head coach, Philadelphia has had Brian Johnson, Kellen Moore, and now Kevin Patullo in the role.
Unlike Moore, who helped the team win Super Bowl LIX before becoming the Saints head coach, Patullo has been with the organization since the start of head coach Nick Sirianni’s tenure in 2021. He was the club’s pass game coordinator for the last four seasons before being promoted to OC in February.
Patullo will make his play-calling debut on Thursday night when the Eagles open the season against the Cowboys.
“I’m excited. I mean, it’s fun,” Patullo said in his Monday press conference. “It’s a huge opportunity obviously, but it goes back to even in Year 1 with Nick [Sirianni] just working through all the situations and things that we’ve done together. I’ve been a part of so much of it, it doesn’t feel too much different, but it is exciting, and I think the guys feel good energy and they’re excited, too.”
One of the key relationships for Patullo is, of course, with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Patullo noted that he and Hurts have a good working dynamic, as both want to push each other to improve.
“He and I spend a lot of time together, and we have even prior to, just getting a feel for him and what certain things we like and what we want to do and when we want to do it,” Patullo said. “It is important everywhere I’ve ever been, you want to have a good relationship with the quarterback just so you can talk outside and off the field about things, so you have a sense of what they’re thinking and what they’re doing. So, when you call certain things situationally or just a random first intent, you’ve got a good feel for what may happen.”
After Philadelphia finished No. 7 in points and No. 8 in total yards last year, how much different will the offense look with Patullo calling the plays?
“It’s hard to say just one game, but I think there’ll be some new things,” Patullo said. “Whether there will be a ton of them or not, it just depends on the situation, how the game flow goes, and how they come up throughout the game.
“So, I think there’ll be a few things here or there, and then we’ll see throughout the season how much it continues in that direction.”
