Cowboys Host 49ers in Week 10 as Pickens Signals He Will Play
Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens says fans will see him against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, though a thin defense and a long injury list could shape the game. A win would lift the Cowboys only to 5-5.
The Dallas Cowboys host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10 of the NFL season with receiver George Pickens signaling he will play and five teammates already ruled out. The 7-1 49ers have been the best team in the NFC all year, according to the team's own preview of the game.
It is the 42nd chapter of the Cowboys-49ers rivalry. A win would only move Dallas to 5-5.
Pickens says he will be there
Pickens missed last week's game against the Indianapolis Colts with a hamstring injury. He was coy with reporters after Friday's practice. "You gonna see me out there, you got to turn the TV screen on," Pickens said.
Dallas has five players listed as out: outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku, tight end Jake Ferguson, running back Tyler Goodson, safety P.J. Locke III and receiver Jonathan Mingo. Five more are questionable: cornerbacks DaRon Bland, Devin Moore and Joey Porter Jr., defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard and safety Alijah Clark.
With Goodson out, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Israel Abanikanda will be called up from the practice squad as the backup to Javonte Williams. "This is a guy with explosive speed," Schottenheimer said. Dallas also signed running back Kendre Miller to its practice squad this week.
What Dallas needs to do
The 49ers' only loss this season came against the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw two of his five interceptions of the year in that game. Dallas wants turnovers to give its offense, led by Dak Prescott, more chances to score.
That starts up front. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has been one of the league's best interior pass rushers in recent weeks. San Francisco's line has allowed just 8 sacks this season, and Purdy is one of five NFL quarterbacks averaging more than 3 seconds to throw.
The 49ers send five receivers downfield on 65.3% of their dropbacks, the highest rate in the league. Dallas is thin at safety and banged up at cornerback. Schottenheimer described tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey and fullback Kyle Juszczyk as "weapons" who threaten defenses downfield.
Rookie defensive back Caleb Downs, whom Dallas drafted 11th overall, is likely to play some safety and also handle the nickel role against Kittle and McCaffrey. San Francisco uses heavy and sometimes unorthodox pre-snap motion, which makes Downs' job as a communicator more important.
Run game and linebackers
San Francisco's defense ranks second in the NFL against the run, allowing 80.9 rushing yards per game. Winning the time-of-possession battle would be a statement for Dallas. The 49ers have used 18 defensive linemen this season, the most in the league, with linebacker Fred Warner the constant.
Jaishawn Barham's development at inside linebacker has stalled, and he is expected to see more snaps on the edge. Malachi Lawrence is out at least four weeks with an ankle injury. If Ezeiruaku cannot go, Rashan Gary, Von Miller, James Houston and Tyrus Wheat would form the outside linebacker rotation.
Even a win would leave Dallas chasing the 5-3-1 Giants, who lead the NFC East.
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