Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer claims Week 4 is just another week in Dallas, with a goal of going 1-0.
Much of the NFL-observing world might feel otherwise, transfixed on the Sunday night date between the Cowboys (1-2) and Green Bay Packers (2-1) because of the prevailing plot line around pass rusher Micah Parsons returning to Dallas only 31 days after a stunning trade sent him out of town.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dropped the curtain on Parsons’ starring role in Dallas due to contentious contract negotiations, opting to trade the 26-year-old All-Pro to Green Bay for defensive end Kenny Clark and first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027.
“It’s a big game because it’s the next game. The media and the fans want to build it up because of Micah coming back, and I get that,” Schottenheimer said Wednesday. “But you literally take the game one at a time and say, ‘We have to play well.’ They’re all must-wins.”
Whether the Cowboys will admit it or not, Parsons is missed in Dallas. The pass defense is dead last in the NFL and the Cowboys have allowed an average of nearly 20 points in the first half (19.66) alone through three games. Big plays are biting consistently. The Cowboys have been hit for an NFL-high 13 plays of 25 yards or more.
Parsons is the only player in the league with eight-plus pressures in multiple games this season despite playing only 116 total snaps.
“Knowing Micah, it keeps you up even more at night,” Schottenheimer said, adding the Cowboys understand Parsons is going to make plays.
“I can’t wait to see Micah. I really can’t. He’s been a huge part of this organization.”
Jones denied he has a personal grudge to settle with Parsons. Parsons said there was plenty of “disrespect” from the team in recent months, but he doesn’t take offense to the organization passing on a tribute video after similar efforts were made for the return of other players, most recently Ezekiel Elliott.
“I think Dallas loves me. I think they’re gonna give me a good round of applause and there’s no hard feelings there, at least from me,” Parsons said.
Parsons won’t be entering now-enemy territory alone. He said he still has his luxury suite at the stadium — attempts to sell it or sublease the space came up empty — and plans to fill it with green and gold this week.
There’s an emotional tug on the other sideline for Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who will see Clark for the first time since he jumped a flight for Dallas and abruptly canceled Labor Day weekend plans in Green Bay. Clark has one of the Cowboys’ three sacks in three games and leads the defense in total snaps played.
“I’ve got so much respect for him, as much as anybody that I’ve been around in this game,” LaFleur said. “In terms of his approach, his team-first mentality, his willingness to help others and bring guys along. He wasn’t always the most vocal. When he talked, everybody listened.”
Neither team takes the field for Week 4 thrilled with recent results. The Cowboys gave up 37 points in their lone win and stumbled at Chicago last week in a 31-14 defeat. No. 1 wide receiver CeeDee Lamb played only the first quarter and is likely to miss the next two games with a high-ankle sprain. Dallas is also without rookie guard Tyler Booker and won’t have starting center Cooper Beebe for the second straight game due to ankle injuries.
The Packers lost 13-10 at Cleveland last week but carry a five-game winning streak against the Cowboys into Sunday. They’re also undefeated at AT&T Stadium (5-0), possible salve in the wound of a 2025 schedule that calls for one home game in a span of six weeks (Oct. 12 vs. Cincinnati) at Green Bay.
Addressing their own offensive line issues is a priority for the Packers, who failed to control the Browns’ front seven.
Right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) tried last week to return too soon from a Week 1 injury and was already ruled out for this game with Green Bay’s bye up next. Tom’s backup, Anthony Belton (ankle), was also ruled out after not practicing Thursday or Friday. Left guard Aaron Banks (groin) is doubtful after skipping Week 2, then leaving last week’s loss early. Safety Javon Bullard (concussion) is questionable after a pair of limited practices.
Scoreless in the second half of both losses, Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense can’t be entirely absolved of blame for the Cowboys sitting on the verge of a 1-3 start. Prescott passed for 403 yards, three TDs and was intercepted twice the last time he faced off with Packers quarterback Jordan Love in Dallas. The Packers won that game 48-32 in the 2023 playoffs. Love threw three TD passes and averaged 12.95 yards per pass attempt.
With Parsons on the other side, the Packers are first in the NFL in pressures (51) and yards allowed per play (3.7 yards). Green Bay is second in the NFL with eight sacks.
Not having Lamb clearly impacts the Dallas passing game. George Pickens will assume the No. 1 receiver role, and Schottenheimer said his play-call sheet will have an expanded section for Jake Ferguson, who caught 13 passes at Chicago and leads NFL tight ends with 27 receptions in 2025.
Prescott leads the NFL with 90 completions and 126 pass attempts.
Parsons asserted the hype won’t matter and no one will be “talking about the trade” once the game begins. As for his former locker room, Parsons said he’ll always be a Lamb fan, but he’s thrilled not to see him between the lines this week.
“He’s my favorite wide receiver in the NFL. I just think the way he carries himself, the way he plays,” Parsons said. “I’m honestly excited he’s not going to be on the field. It would be painful to understand who I was going against.”
With only one takeaway this season — in overtime against the Giants — the Cowboys are looking to edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney in his expected debut to do what Parsons once did routinely: create more havoc.
“Momentum-building plays are really important when you play this style of football,” Schottenheimer said.
Cowboys two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee), who sat out Wednesday’s practice, will play after practicing in full on Thursday and Friday. Cornerbacks DaRon Bland (foot) and Trikweze Bridges (knee) were limited Wednesday but returned to full practices on Thursday and Friday and will also suit up.
–Field Level Media
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