The Dallas Cowboys have completed their dismantling of the East Coast teams, one in the Meadowlands and the other at AT&T stadium.
Now, the team is preparing for the Arizona Cardinals.
Some would say that this will be a cakewalk. Longtime Cowboys fans know to take it one week at a time.
Like other teams, Dallas has reinforcements at key positions returning over the next few weeks. The returning players include Tyler Smith, Donovan Wilson, and Brandin Cooks.
It begs the question of which one of those guys would have the most significant impact upon their return.
Inquiring minds would love to know.
Juanyeh Thomas isn't Donovan Wilson but he's been a suitable replacement
Donovan Wilson continues to rehab and is getting healthier with each passing day.
Reports suggest that Wilson could return to the field against the Cardinals, but the coaching staff may hold him out for another week.
Donovan Wilson in pads for practice for the first time since January. Suffered calf strain in first training camp practice. pic.twitter.com/mRUo8euwaC
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 14, 2023
Wilson is the enforcer on the backend of the defense and excels as a box safety. We should see this defense reach new heights when Dallas gets him back.
Will he give Dallas the most significant lift of the players returning from injury?
I'm not ready to commit to that.
Juanyeh Thomas has been capable of holding the torch for Wilson until his return. He's logged 46 total snaps in both the box and free safety spots.
Markquese Bell has doubled up as a linebacker and safety (43 box snaps), which is the typical role Wilson plays.
Those two guys, along with Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker, have made the absence of Wilson much more palatable.
Although we are eager to have Donovan back in the lineup, his absence has had the most manageable loss of the three.
Brandin Cooks deep threat wasn't needed but may be missed sooner versus later
The Dallas Cowboys' game plan versus the New York Jets was just the right amount of conservative for their opponent.
If Aaron Rodgers was available, Dallas may have needed to stretch the field more often than they did.
Or, at the very least, they would have taken more chances than they did.
Unfortunately for the Jets, Rodgers was on the mend, and the Cowboys' defense continued to audition for the best unit in the league.
Dak Prescott showed more patience than he has since 2016.
He took what the Jets were willing to give up and took shots to CeeDee Lamb when it was available.
CeeDee was the main target, and he put on a show to the point where Cooks' presence on the field would have been a luxury more than a necessity.
Not to mention, Dallas seemed intent on getting others involved.
Tony Pollard snagged seven catches, and Jalen Tolbert, Deuce Vaughn, and Jake Ferguson grabbed three a piece.
Rumors have it that Dallas expects Brandin Cooks to be fit to play against the Cardinals.
Jerry Jones anticipates Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks playing this week vs. Cardinals@1053thefan
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) September 19, 2023
While the fan in me wants him to sit out until that October gauntlet, I can also understand why Head Coach Mike McCarthy would like him to build that chemistry with Dak.
Cooks will be an integral part of the offense.
However, I'm not sure he is the piece Dallas misses the most.
Tyler Smith's Return may come with the biggest question mark but he's the piece Dallas misses the most
Tyler Smith's return causes the most heartburn.
He's working diligently to return from a hamstring strain.
On one hand, no one should want to rush him back only for him to hit a setback.
On the other hand, the anticipation of watching Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, and Terence Steele on the field together is building up.
The combination of Chuma Edoga and T J Bass has been admirable.
They held up against Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence and, outside of a few blocking miscues, did a decent job with Quinnen Williams.
To be completely honest, I think we have a player in Bass that can help this team out long-term.
Many fans have been screaming for Tyler to kick to the interior, me included, and it may take a few more weeks for that to come to fruition.
Tyler is the player that can change the complexity of this Dallas offense.
Cowboys LG Tyler Smith on hamstring: "I'm sprinting a lot more. …Things are moving along really well. …Obviously, I'm trying to get back as quick as possible but be smart at the same time. It is a long season. Our hopes and dreams extend all the way into February."
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 15, 2023
The interior defensive lines are getting more challenging. The Philadelphia Eagles have their three-headed monster in Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and rookie Jalen Carter.
We know what the San Francisco 49ers represent, not to mention Aaron Donald in the not-too-distant future.
Tyler gets the number 1 ranking of the three.
While all three are essential, Tyler closes the gap on a position that has plagued Dallas for the last few seasons.
