The Dallas Cowboys are in for a tough Week 9. Dalvin Cook will have another chance to prove his worth. Cook was activated for the first time in Week 8 against the 49ers, managing only 12 yards on six carries, which fell short of providing the spark Dallas was hoping for. With the Cowboys’ ground game averaging a league-low 74.1 yards per game, Cook has a prime opportunity to step up and help pull the team out of their rushing slump.

The Cowboys have elevated Cook from the practice squad, setting up a potential appearance against the Falcons this Sunday. As per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, this is Cook’s second game with Dallas after debuting last week against the 49ers. With Rico Dowdle returning from an illness, it’s uncertain how involved Cook will be in the Cowboys’ offensive game plan. Last week, he ranked third in snaps behind Ezekiel Elliott and Hunter Luepke, managing only 22 yards from seven touches. Also Elliott is sitting out due to disciplinary reasons.

Injuries have been a relentless issue for the Cowboys, making their fight for a playoff spot even harder. All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons is officially out with a high-ankle sprain he sustained back in Week 4, and All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland, who just returned from injured reserve, will also sit out due to his foot recovery. Adding to the woes, defensive lineman Jordan Phillips has been ruled out with a wrist injury, leaving the Dallas defense thin as they face a 5-3 Falcons team.

The Cowboys’ defense will also have to navigate the uncertainty around cornerback Trevon Diggs, who is questionable due to a calf tear. Owner Jerry Jones hinted at the challenge, stating, “We all know that everybody deals with their own issues,” as he reflected on Diggs’ post-game frustrations last week. Jones admitted Diggs’ injury “would be enough right there to get you in a foul mood.” If Diggs sits, backup cornerback Josh Butler will be elevated to cover his absence.

Amid all these defensive setbacks, rookie cornerback Caelen Carson is at least one bright spot, as he’s cleared to play after an injury. The Cowboys are hoping he can step in and bring some fresh energy to a defense plagued by injuries and limited depth. It’s clear the Cowboys need every able body on the field this weekend if they’re going to have a shot at evening their record and keeping playoff hopes alive.

Cowboys face must-win showdown against surging Falcons in week 9

The Dallas Cowboys are heading into Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons with their season at a critical point. After dropping two straight games and sitting at a 3-4 record, this game feels like a must-win for Dallas. Quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t downplaying the stakes, saying, “Yeah… every game is [must-win], but obviously 3-4… the first start to be able to say that confidently is getting back even.” Prescott is optimistic about the game plan and believes the team has what it takes to turn things around. “Excited about this game plan,” he added, hoping it’ll give them the spark they need.

The Falcons, on the other hand, are coming in hot with a 5-3 record, winning four of their last five games. Kirk Cousins, now their QB, has been solid, throwing 14 touchdowns this season. Atlanta’s offense, led by Cousins and young running back Bijan Robinson, poses a major challenge for the Cowboys’ defense, which has struggled against both the pass and the run. Dallas ranks 31st in rush defense, which doesn’t bode well against Robinson, a dynamic back who can make plays on the ground and through the air.

Analysts are leaning towards the Falcons, with ESPN giving them a 58.6% chance to win. The Cowboys have struggled to cover as underdogs and, according to Bill Speros, “the Cowboys stink on both sides.” The game’s 2.5-point spread and a predicted 52-point total show a tight battle, but if Dallas’s defense doesn’t step up, it might be a long afternoon at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.