Cowboys Looking To Extend HC Jason Garrett
The Cowboys are focused on tonight’s playoff matchup against the Rams, but they’ll shift their focus to extending their head coach whenever their season ends. Appearing on Good Morning Football, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said that the Cowboys intend to begin negotiating a long-term contract with Jason Garrett during the offseason (Twitter link).
Following the Cowboys lackluster start, there were whispers that the organization could look to move on from Garrett. Furthermore, we heard that the team hadn’t considered extending the 52-year-old. However, the Cowboys finished the regular season with a 7-1 record, and they won last week’s playoff matchup against the Seahawks.
The recent run apparently convinced the organization that Garrett was “their coach of the future.” The head coach’s contract is set to expire at the end 2019 campaign, but the team is hoping to extend him before that time. After having previously signed a five-year, $30MM contract, Rapoport expects Garrett’s next contract to be among the most lucrative in the entire game.
Garrett has been with the organization since 2007, and he took over head coaching duties in 2010 after the team fired Wade Phillips. Garrett has put together a 77-59 record during his tenure as head coach, leading the Cowboys to three playoff appearances.
Meanwhile, defensive backs coach and passing-game coordinator Kris Richard wasn’t able to get a head-coaching gig this offseason (although Rapoport notes that he was a finalist for the Dolphins gig). However, based on his quick ascension through the organization, many believe the Cowboys will make Richard their full-time defensive coordinator in 2019. Rod Marinelli is the Cowboys current defensive coordinator, but Rapoport could envision a scenario where the 69-year-old transitions to a senior defensive assistant role.
Injury Update On Beasley, Jarwin
- The Cowboys are “cautiously optimistic” that both wideout Cole Beasley and tight end Blake Jarwin will be ready to play in tonight’s playoff matchup against the Rams, tweets Rapoport. Neither player practiced this week, and they’re both listed as questionable. However, Schefter tweets that the plan is for “both to work out pregame and both be active.” Beasley, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, had one of his best offensive seasons in 2017, compiling 65 catches for 672 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jarwin emerged late in the season, including a Week 17 contest where he had seven receptions for 119 yards and three scores.
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Cowboys Place Allen Hurns On IR
It’s officially official. On Tuesday, the Cowboys placed wide receiver Allen Hurns on injured reserve. As previously reported, the Cowboys will promote fellow receiver Lance Lenoir from the practice squad to take his place. 
Hurns suffered a dislocated ankle just minutes into the Cowboys’ wild card playoff game against the Seahawks. Unfortunately, it was one of those injuries that non-doctors could immediately diagnose as a season-ender. Now, the Cowboys will head into Saturday’s game without him.
Hurns signed a two-year, $12MM deal this past March, but was never able to establish himself in Dallas’ offense. He initially looked like he might be the team’s number one receiver after Dez Bryant was cut, but ended up catching just 20 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season.
The Cowboys still have him under contract for 2019, so he may have an opportunity for redemption next year. There’s also reason to believe that he can do better based on his past results. In 2015, he enjoyed a breakout season with the Jags as he caught 64 passes for 1,031 yards and ten touchdowns. And, if fellow receiver Cole Beasley leaves in free agency, Hurns could see more opportunities as a depth option behind Amari Cooper.
Cowboys WR Lance Lenoir Could Be Promoted
With wideout Allen Hurns expected to land on the injured reserve, the Cowboys could promote a wideout from their practice squad to take his place. Coach Jason Garrett said that practice squad wideout Lance Lenoir is a “viable” option to take a spot on the 53-man roster (via The Athletic’s Calvin Watkins on Twitter).
The 23-year-old Lenoir has appeared in seven games with Dallas this season, appearing mostly on special teams. The 2017 undrafted free agent out of Western Illinois previously impressed during his collegiate career, earning a pair of All-Missouri Valley Football Conference nods. Dallas clearly likes his potential, as he’s split time between the practice squad and active roster over the past two years. The wideout has displayed his talent during the past two preseasons, including a 2018 stretch that saw him haul in 12 receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown.
Of course, even with Hurns out of the lineup, it’s unlikely that Lenoir will see many (if any) reps at wide receiver during next week’s playoff matchup against the Rams. Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Cole Beasley will continue to see the majority of the targets at wide receiver, with Noah Brown and Tavon Austin potentially earning more reps.
Hurns suffered a dislocated ankle during the Cowboys win over the Seahawks last night. The 27-year-old has already undergone surgery and is expected to be ready in August.
Cowboys WR Allen Hurns Dislocates Ankle, Expected To Make Full Recovery
Sunday, 9:53am: Hurns suffered a dislocated ankle, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds that Hurns has already had surgery on the ankle (Twitter link). It was a horrible injury to watch, but Schefter says that Hurns should be ready to return to football in August if there are no complications.
Saturday, 7:52pm: Just minutes into the Cowboys’ wild card playoff game, receiver Allen Hurns went down with a devastating injury, and had to be carted off.
It’s unclear what the exact injury is at this point, but something in Hurns’ leg clearly broke as his leg was bent back at a terrible angle. Hurns’ season is definitely done no matter how deep of a playoff run Dallas ends up making. It’s particularly bad news for the Cowboys’ passing game, as fellow receiver Cole Beasley also aggravated a lower leg injury in the first quarter.
It’s terrible news for Hurns, as the offseason acquisition was already having a rough year. Signed to a two-year $12MM deal this past March, Hurns was never able to establish himself in the offense. He initially looked like he might be the team’s number one receiver after Dez Bryant was cut, but ended up catching just 20 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
The Miami product spent the first four years of his career with the Jaguars, and had a breakout year in 2015. That season, he caught 64 passes for 1,031 yards and ten touchdowns. Many expect Beasley to depart in free agency this offseason, so Hurns should be back with the team next year in a depth role behind Amari Cooper.
Zeke Wants Extension
- The Cowboys have a bunch of young players they’ll need to pay soon, and Ezekiel Elliott would like to be first in line. The third year running back has one more year left on his deal after this season plus his 2020 fifth-year team option, but he’d like to be extended this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). While Rapsheet notes that it “makes sense given his workload”, it’s unclear at what price the team values him. We heard back in November that the team might not be in any rush to extend Elliott, so it will be very interesting to see what the team does here.
Buccaneers To Meet With Kris Richard
At least one team has scheduled a meeting with Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard. The Buccaneers have planned an interview with Richard, according to the NFL network (via the Tampa Bay Times).
Teams are not allowed to meet with assistants whose teams are preparing for first-round games, but the Bucs have scheduled a summit with Richard for after the Cowboys’ wild-card game.
Both the Dolphins and Jets submitted interview requests to Richard, but it’s not known if any meetings are scheduled yet. The Bucs interviewed Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy in Kansas City on Wednesday.
Richard, 39, was viewed as a possible HC candidate last year. He oversaw the 2015 Seahawks’ No. 1 scoring defense and was the Legion of Boom’s position coach the previous three seasons, which also featured Seattle housing No. 1 scoring defenses. The Seahawks fired Richard after the 2017 campaign, leading him to Dallas.
Richard took over play-calling duties from Dallas DC Rod Marinelli this season. The Cowboys’ defense improved slightly, ranking sixth in points allowed. Tampa Bay’s defense struggled again, allowing the second-most points in the league.
Dolphins, Jets Seek Kris Richard Meeting
The two AFC East teams with head coaching vacancies have contacted a popular NFC East assistant.
Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard received interview requests from the Jets and Dolphins on Monday, NJ.com’s Darryl Slater and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter report (Twitter links).
During the 2018 hiring period, the Seahawks fired Richard after he’d spent three years as their defensive coordinator. A year later, it looks like he will have an opportunity to make a big move. The Jets and Dolphins, though, must wait to meet with the Dallas assistant. The Cowboys’ first-round playoff game prevents teams from meeting with Richard this week.
Previously the Legion of Boom’s position coach from 2012-14, Richard played a key role in Seattle’s rare run of defensive dominance. He has since overseen Byron Jones‘ breakout season and helped a Dallas secondary seeking safety help for months manage its current situation. Also serving as the Cowboys’ defensive passing game coordinator, the 39-year-old assistant has improved Dallas’ pass-defense DVOA mark as well.
The Jets choosing a defensive coach would continue a long trend. The franchise has not hired an offensively oriented leader since the mid-1990s.
Cowboys Activate CB C.J. Goodwin
The Cowboys are adding some reinforcement to their secondary. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Dallas has activated cornerback C.J. Goodwin from injured reserve.
The Cowboys signed Goodwin off the Bengals practice squad back in October. The 28-year-old went on to appear in two games for Dallas before breaking his forearm. Goodwin subsequently underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
The cornerback has bounced around the NFL a bit since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014, spending time with the Steelers, Falcons, Cardinals, Giants, 49ers, and Bengals. He played in 28 total games between 2016 and 2017, compiling 26 tackles and two passes defended.
The Cowboys could use some extra help at cornerback, especially after Anthony Brown missed Week 16 with a back injury. That left Jourdan Lewis as the lone cornerback behind Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie, so Goodwin will provide some insurance for that trio. At the very least, Goodwin will have an opportunity to contribute on special teams.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/24/18
Here are the NFL’s minor moves on Christmas Eve:
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated off IR: CB C.J. Goodwin
- Waived: WR Lance Lenoir
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Paul Butler, S Dallin Leavitt
- Placed on IR: CB Daryl Worley
- Waived: DE Damontre Moore
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: LB LaTroy Lewis
- Placed on IR: TE Cole Wick