The Dallas Cowboys made no meaningful addition before the NFL trade deadline, so their path out of a 4-5 start rests with the roster in place. That puts more pressure on a banged-up offense, an offensive line that has yet to become a weekly strength and a defense that needs more production from its young front-seven players.
Locked On Cowboys host Marcus Mosher and co-host Landon McCool treated the deadline inactivity as a roster verdict as much as a transaction outcome. They argued Dallas has enough top-end talent to stay relevant in the playoff chase, but not enough margin for the same uneven play that has defined the first nine games.
The immediate test comes Sunday, Nov. 15, when the Cowboys begin a three-game home stretch against the San Francisco 49ers. The Tennessee Titans visit Nov. 22, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving. McCool said Dallas needs to win at least two of those three games to give itself a realistic path, while Mosher pegged 10 wins as the likely playoff target.
Their case for a turnaround begins up front. McCool said the offensive line must become far better than merely functional because Dallas has devoted major draft capital to the group. The hosts also said a more consistent running game would keep the offense out of difficult down-and-distance situations and ease pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott.
The injury situation makes that assignment tougher. Tight end Jake Ferguson and running back Tyler Goodson are expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering knee injuries in the win over the Indianapolis Colts. The show discussed a possible practice-squad addition at running back, and Kendre Miller, who was released by New Orleans on Nov. 7 was signed by Dallas to its practice squad on Wednesday, Nov. 10. However, Dallas will need its available tight ends, backs and receivers to cover the lost snaps without a trade-deadline solution.
Mosher and McCool also identified linebacker Shemar James and edge rushers Donovan Ezeiruaku and Rashan Gary as possible swing players for a late run. That is an opinion, not a guarantee, but it captures the central issue facing Dallas: the Cowboys need existing players to provide a level of play they have not consistently received through nine games.
The discussion extended to vice president of player personnel Will McClay. McCool said McClay’s recent drafts deserve scrutiny, particularly outside the first round, but stopped short of arguing for his dismissal. Mosher pointed to the club’s investments along the offensive line while questioning whether Dallas has found enough contributors on defense in the middle rounds.
Dallas has no time for a gradual correction. The 49ers game opens a homestand that can either put the Cowboys back into the playoff conversation or make the deadline decision look like the moment the organization accepted the limits of its current roster.
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