The Dallas Cowboys looked like they overused wide receiver George Pickens on Monday Night Football. Now he's dealing with an NFL injury alongside safety Caleb Downs. Both on the eve of their Sunday showdown with the Arizona Cardinals too.
Pickens has a shoulder and hamstring ailment, limiting him in practice Wednesday. The rookie defender Downs, meanwhile, is limited with a bad ankle.
Pickens received a high number of snaps in the 38-21 trouncing of the rival Philadelphia Eagles. He finished with four catches for 57 yards and scored on a 21-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Dak Prescott. That performance lifted Dallas to 3-4 overall in dismantling the slumping Eagles.
Downs tallied five tackles on the evening. He arrived to the NFL with immense hype as a high first round selection out of Ohio State. Now his status is pending before facing the NFC West foe and past division rival of the Cowboys.
Dallas is also dealing with overhearing trade rumors. Though owner/general manager Jerry Jones is throwing cold water on that. The franchise one year ago pulled off the stunning trade with past All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Kenny Clark came out of that move which fell through before the 2025 season.
Article Continues BelowLinebacker Patrick Queen of the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, has risen as a trending possibility for Dallas. ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that the Cowboys once checked on his availability before the NFL Trade Deadline. Queen is playing through the final year of his current deal.
But meanwhile, Dallas is facing rolling without Downs and Pickens.