Cowboys Rally with Roster Moves After Impressive Holiday Victories
Following a significant Thanksgiving Day triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys are cautiously rekindling playoff hopes that had previously seemed to be flickering out. This victory, coming on the heels of their Week 12 win against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, has breathed new life into the team’s season at a crucial moment. While their playoff odds remain slim, the Cowboys have demonstrated they can compete with the league’s elite teams when firing on all cylinders. The back-to-back victories against Super Bowl contenders have provided a much-needed confidence boost to a team that has experienced its share of disappointments this season.
The organization isn’t resting on these recent successes, however. On Sunday, the Cowboys announced two roster moves that could further strengthen their late-season push. Most significantly, star cornerback Trevon Diggs has been designated to return to practice – a development that could dramatically improve the team’s defensive capabilities. Additionally, the Cowboys signed running back Israel Abanikanda to their practice squad, providing depth at a position that has seen its share of challenges this season. These moves signal that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office remain committed to salvaging what they can from a season that has fallen short of their lofty expectations.
Diggs’ potential return represents a significant boost for a defense that has missed his playmaking abilities. Having appeared in just six games this season with 18 total tackles, Diggs hasn’t been able to replicate his impressive 2022 campaign when he recorded 42 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 11 passes defended in 11 games. His ball-hawking skills and ability to change games with timely turnovers have been sorely missed in a secondary that has struggled with consistency. When healthy, Diggs ranks among the league’s most impactful defensive backs, capable of neutralizing opposing top receivers and creating game-changing plays. His return to practice signals that he may soon be ready to contribute during this critical stretch of games.
The addition of Abanikanda to the practice squad likely won’t have immediate on-field implications but demonstrates the team’s commitment to maintaining depth as they enter the final weeks of the season. The young running back brings limited NFL experience from his time with the New York Jets in 2023, where he carried the ball 22 times for 70 yards while adding 7 receptions for 43 yards across six appearances. While not expected to see significant playing time barring injuries to the current running back rotation, his presence provides insurance at a physically demanding position where depth is always valuable. The Cowboys are clearly leaving no stone unturned as they prepare for their remaining games.
The path forward for Dallas is both clear and daunting – they likely need to win all their remaining games to have a realistic shot at postseason play. Their next challenge comes against the Detroit Lions, another team with playoff aspirations that is coming off a disappointing Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers. This matchup represents another opportunity for the Cowboys to prove their recent success against championship-caliber teams wasn’t merely a fortunate streak but rather evidence of their true potential. A victory on the road against Dan Campbell’s physically imposing Lions would further legitimize Dallas as a team finding its identity at precisely the right moment.
These recent developments illustrate the resilience that has emerged within the Cowboys organization during a season filled with ups and downs. While the playoff picture remains complicated, the team’s response to adversity – both on the field with consecutive victories against premier opponents and off the field with strategic roster moves – demonstrates a refusal to surrender to disappointment. The potential return of Diggs could provide exactly the spark needed to continue this late-season renaissance. For a franchise with championship expectations, these final weeks represent an opportunity to redefine their season narrative from one of underachievement to one of perseverance and competitive spirit. As they prepare to face the Lions, the Cowboys carry with them renewed hope and a growing belief that their season story may still include a playoff chapter.
