Cowboys elevate 2 players from practice squad for Eagles rematch

The Dallas Cowboys’ offense has garnered all of the attention among national media and the subsection of fans who hang on every hot take, but the real know the issue over the last several weeks has been a disappointing defense. Injuries have derailed the once pace-setting unit as the club is without two of their three starting corners and multiple defensive linemen. The first replacement at corner has been really good, as rookie DaRon Bland has shown up and shown out in the slot. Once boundary corner Anthony Brown went down, in conjunction with a massively slowed pass rush, things have fallen on hard times for Dan Quinn’s unit.

Earlier on Friday, Cowboys Wire’s Reid Hanson wondered whether Dallas would be interested in moving Bland outside if second-year player Kelvin Joseph continued to struggle, and with the Week 16 practice squad elevations for Saturday’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, it appears that could be the case. Dallas is bringing up slot corner Mackensie Alexander in addition to center Brock Hoffman for the contest.

Recently claimed from Arizona, Trayvon Mullen could get a chance to play on the outside as well, but if Bland gets the opportunity then Dallas could look for Alexander to man the interior position against a Gardner Minshew-led Philly attack.

Here’s a look at the full 55-man roster Dallas will choose from for their gameday 48.