The Carolina Panthers’ 20-17 loss to visiting New Orleans on Monday night turned out to be especially painful.

Linebacker Shaq Thompson, the leader of the Panthers defense, sustained a broken right leg that will sideline him for the rest of the season. That means he won’t be making a homecoming trip for Sunday’s game at Seattle, where he starred for the University of Washington.

Carolina rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in April, is also hurting. He didn’t participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday because of an ankle injury, leading the Panthers to announce that Young is not expected to play against the Seahawks (1-1).

Veteran Andy Dalton will start for the Panthers (0-2) in Young’s absence.

“We have some general principles that we operated by, not absolutes, that we say, ‘Hey, how many days of practices are needed for a younger player to play?'” Panthers coach Frank Reich said. “If he’s a younger player, maybe you want him to practice a little bit more.”

Dalton, in his 13th NFL season, is 83-77-2 as a starter during his career. He spent nine seasons in Cincinnati before one-year stops in Dallas, Chicago and New Orleans.

Panthers running back Miles Sanders said Dalton is well-prepared.

“It would actually be kind of a dream come true to play with Andy,” Sanders said. “Me being from Pittsburgh and being a Steelers fan, I know what Andy can do (having played with the Bengals). So yeah, it would be an honor playing with him.”

Sanders (pectoral) was one of four players listed as limited Wednesday, along with linebacker Brian Burns (ankle), Justin Houston (calf) and Chandler Wooten (knee). Wooten returned as a full participant Thursday.

Replacing Thompson, who had surgery Tuesday to fix a fractured fibula, won’t be as easy. Reich said it’s hard to put into words how much Thompson brings to the Panthers, calling him a team player and “a warrior, a guy who knows how to practice.”

The Seahawks evened their record with a 37-31 overtime victory Sunday at Detroit, as Tyler Lockett scored the winner on a 6-yard pass from Geno Smith.

“We just had to go out there and kind of put the past behind us,” Smith said. “Last week is last week, has nothing to do with this week, and go out there and play ball, and it wasn’t perfect (Sunday), but we found a way to win, and that’s what matters.”

The Seahawks also have injury concerns. They might be without starting cornerback Riq Woolen, who suffered a chest injury in the first half against the Lions and didn’t return.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Woolen was “pretty sore” and would need to make significant strides to be ready Sunday.

Carroll said safety Jamal Adams will practice fully this week, but no decision will be made until closer to the weekend on whether he’ll make his return from a torn quadriceps tendon sustained in the 2022 season opener.

Seahawks tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) missed practice this week, and rookie defensive lineman Mike Morris was placed on injured reserve and needs season-ending shoulder surgery.

–Field Level Media

Scoring points could be at a premium when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday night.

Neither team has been able to find a flow when in possession of the ball heading into the Raiders’ home opener.

Pittsburgh (1-1) has scored just 19 offensive points and has punted 13 times, compared to 24 total first downs. The Steelers posted a 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night behind defensive touchdowns by Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt.

The Raiders (1-1) are tied for last in points per game (13.5). Star rusher Josh Jacobs is coming off a career-worst minus-2 rushing game (on nine attempts) in a 38-10 loss to the host Buffalo Bills.

Jacobs, the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,653 yards last season, has just 46 yards on 28 carries in two games with a long gain of 7.

In the loss to Buffalo, the Raiders ran just 13 second-half offensive plays and 39 for the game as the Bills controlled the ball for 40:04.

“I think we need to address where we went wrong and improve from there,” Jacobs said. “That’s the thing that makes it so frustrating for me is just the potential. You see flashes of how good we can really be.”

The Raiders are adjusting to new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and rank 30th in total offense at 250.5 yards per game.

“It starts with myself,” said Garoppolo, who has passed for 385 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. “I made way too many mistakes — physical, mental, all of it. We couldn’t get into a rhythm. To beat a good team like that at their place, you’ve got to play a lot better than that.”

Star receiver Davante Adams sustained a concussion against Buffalo but was a full practice participant Wednesday. Fellow wideout Jakobi Meyers is still dealing with a concussion sustained in Week 1 and was limited.

The Steelers are 31st in total offense (247.0), and second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett is off to a slow start.

Pickett, who has 454 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, said Wednesday that the Pittsburgh offense lacks an identity.

“We’ve got to find it. Clearly, we don’t have one,” Pickett said. “It’s a team game, the ultimate team game. One guy does something wrong on a play as an offense, it usually doesn’t go your way.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is deeply troubled by the offensive issues.

“We have to get our mojo back,” Tomlin said. “… We do acknowledge that two is a pattern. We’ve had two outings that are not up to snuff in that regard, and so it has our attention as we are preparing for this next one.”

Watt, who is tied for the NFL lead with four sacks, scored the decisive touchdown against Cleveland on a 16-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter. Highsmith forced the fumble by sacking Deshaun Watson and added a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.

On Wednesday, the Raiders placed defensive end Chandler Jones on the non-football injury list. Jones has been away from the team after sharply criticizing the organization prior to the season opener.

Defensive end Tyree Wilson and safety Chris Smith II both missed practice with illnesses. Safety Marcus Epps (quad) was limited, as were cornerback Jakorian Bennett (hamstring), linebacker Divine Deablo (rib) and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (hamstring, hand).

Pittsburgh had six players who didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice due to injury. The list included safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (chest), who was hospitalized after Monday’s game for “precautionary reasons.”

Also missing practice due to injuries were defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (foot), linebacker Markus Golden (knee), safety Damontae Kazee (calf), tight end Darnell Washington (knee) and receiver Gunner Olszewski (concussion).

The Steelers beat visiting Las Vegas 13-10 in Week 16 last season.

–Field Level Media

Lacking the offensive explosiveness that has become their calling card, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs might be finding salve in the form of their schedule.

Kansas City will face the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday in a matchup of the league’s top and bottom teams from a season ago.

What’s more, the Bears (0-2) are currently in turmoil following the midweek resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams and renewed unrest under center.

The Chiefs (1-1) hope to come untracked against Chicago after managing just 20 and 17 points in their first two games. The Bears have lost 12 games in a row dating back to last season while surrendering at least 25 points in each setback.

Kansas City defeated host Jacksonville 17-9 in Week 2 as the offense navigated around three early turnovers. Patrick Mahomes threw for two scores, with one going to tight end Travis Kelce, who missed the season opener with a knee injury.

“You play bad and win, it’s a lot better than playing bad and losing,” Mahomes said. “So I was glad we were able to find a way to get a win at the end of the day, but a lot of stuff that we have to be better at.”

Chicago drove for a touchdown on its opening possession last Sunday but was otherwise less than spectacular on offense during a 27-17 road loss to Tampa Bay.

Justin Fields, who is attempting to hone his pocket-passing ability this season, has been inconsistent. He has passed for 427 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, two of which have been returned for scores.

“I need to play better,” Fields said. “That’s it, point blank.”

Fields has also lost a fumble and been sacked 10 times. He’ll be behind a shuffling offensive line once more in Week 3, as the Bears placed left tackle Braxton Jones (neck) on injured reserve on Wednesday.

While the Bears’ offensive struggles remain well-documented, the defense is trying to find its footing, too.

Chicago enters Sunday with just one sack while allowing opponents to convert 54.8 percent of their third downs, the second-highest rate in the league.

There’s also the matter of Williams, who was away from the team in Week 2 due to personal reasons. Head coach Matt Eberflus called defensive plays against Tampa Bay and said before the franchise announced Williams’ resignation that he would be in line to do so again versus Kansas City.

Williams said in a statement that he was stepping aside to “take care of my health and my family.” A team spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that there had been no police activity related to Williams at the team’s practice facility.

Bears safety Eddie Jackson (foot) did not participate in Friday’s practice and is listed as doubtful.

The Chiefs are hopeful their health can improve, too. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney was able to complete Friday’s practice after being idle earlier in the week.

Linebacker Nick Bolton (ankle) and wide receiver Richie James (knee) were the lone non-participants in Friday’s practice in Kansas City. Head coach Andy Reid said Drue Tranquill would start in Bolton’s spot if he’s unable to play.

–Field Level Media

In 2005, a 22-year-old Mike McDaniel was living the dream.

The Greeley, Colo., native was a coaching intern on the Broncos’ staff, helping Denver to a 13-3 record and a trip to the AFC Championship Game.

Flash forward 18 years later, and McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins face those Broncos on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

McDaniel is preparing for his first meeting as a head coach against the team that took a chance on him back in the mid-2000s, as Miami and Denver have not met since 2020. McDaniel took over as Dolphins coach last season, leading the team to a 9-8 record and its first playoff appearance since 2016.

Miami (2-0) picked up right where it left off under McDaniel, as the Dolphins are averaging 30 points and a league-best 462.5 yards per game following last Sunday’s 24-17 victory over the New England Patriots.

Safe to say, it’s been the start to his head-coaching career that McDaniel envisioned, but he knows it might not have been possible without the time he spent in Denver.

“It was the team that I found my love for football with,” McDaniel said. “Also, a couple of the biggest influences that I’ve had from the game of football in terms of Mike Shanahan and by extension Kyle Shanahan and Gary Kubiak.

“It’s a great franchise. … Tremendous organization, and I wouldn’t be here without it.”

Emotions aside, this week is all business for McDaniel and Miami, which could be leaning on its rushing attack to get past the Broncos (0-2).

Jaylen Waddle will miss Sunday’s contest due to a concussion, and after being held to 40 yards against New England.

Waddle missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning Friday in a limited fashion. He was initially questionable before being ruled out Saturday.

Tyreek Hill will have to deal with star cornerback Pat Surtain II. Hill was nursing an ankle injury but is set to play.

“You want to talk about a tough position, that’s why you kind of know by name the guys that are the best in the business, and I think he’s in that category for sure,” McDaniel said of Surtain. “He’s a heck of a player.”

Although Denver hasn’t been able to get in the win column just yet, Russell Wilson is finally starting to look like the quarterback the Broncos thought they were trading for when they shipped a package of three players and multiple draft picks to Seattle two offseasons ago.

Wilson completed 18 of 32 passes for 308 yards, three touchdowns and an interception last weekend, but despite his efforts, Denver still fell 35-33 to the Washington Commanders.

The Broncos led 21-3 at one point but surrendered 10 points in the final 1:47 of the first half before crumbling following the break.

Still, it was an encouraging performance for Wilson, who reached the 300-yard mark 21 times during his 10 seasons with the Seahawks before doing so just once during the 2022 campaign.

Denver’s two losses have come by a combined three points, and executing plays when it matters most is quickly becoming an issue.

“As we’ve learned the past few years, almost every game is one score — seven points, three points,” Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry III said. “We need to finish those games ‘cause we’ve lost too many over the past four years that I’ve been here.”

Outside linebacker Frank Clark (hip) and safety Justin Simmons (hip) missed practice this week and were ruled out for the game. Nose tackle Mike Purcell (ankle) is questionable after returning to practice Friday in a limited capacity.

In addition to Waddle, running back Salvon Ahmed (groin) is doubtful. Offensive tackle Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee), defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (wrist) and linebacker Jaelan Phillips (back) were among those listed questionable for the Dolphins.

–Field Level Media

A pair of winless teams will go for their first victory of the season when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Los Angeles (0-2) is coming off a two-point loss against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 and a three-point overtime loss against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley expressed confidence that his team could overcome a frustrating start.

“We have 15 games ahead of us,” Staley said. “We lost two really tough games right there at the end. … We’re doing a lot of good things out there. The mistakes that we made out there, we can correct all of them.”

The same message resonates with Minnesota (0-2), which has also lost each of its first two games by single digits against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles.

In some ways, the Vikings have been their own worst enemy. They have the most turnovers (seven) and the worst turnover ratio (minus-6) of any team in the NFL heading into Week 3.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said limiting turnovers needs to be a priority going forward.

“That’s kind of the message, right?” Cousins said. “We’re 0-2. We’re minus-6 in turnover margin. If you had told me, after two weeks, we’d be minus-6 (in turnover margin), I would tell you we’d be 0-2. So you don’t really have to look at much else. That pretty much tells the story.

“That being said, we’re in those games. It has come down to the last couple plays. There’s something encouraging to take from that, but only so much. At some point, the bottom line is you’ve got to win.”

The Vikings bolstered their rushing attack Wednesday by acquiring Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a swap of 2026 draft picks, multiple outlets reported.

Minnesota is still coping with the offseason loss of Dalvin Cook. He joins an RB room composed of two-game starter Alexander Mattison along with Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin.

A dynamic receiving group could help the Vikings come out on top Sunday. Justin Jefferson has 20 catches for 309 yards in his first two games, while rookie wideout Jordan Addison and veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson have two touchdown receptions apiece.

Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa will try to disrupt the Vikings’ passing attack by putting pressure on Cousins. Bosa leads Los Angeles with two sacks, while Morgan Fox, Tuli Tuipuloto and Kenneth Murray Jr. have one apiece.

Like the Vikings, the Chargers boast a dynamic offense with multiple playmakers. Justin Herbert has completed 67.6 percent of his passes and has yet to throw an interception this season, while Keenan Allen (14 catches, 187 yards, 2 TDs) and Mike Williams (12 catches, 128 yards) lead the team in receiving.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) missed practice all week and was ruled out on Friday. It will be his second straight missed game.

Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter already has four sacks and will try to add to that total against Herbert. Safety Camryn Bynum leads the team with 25 tackles.

This will be the teams’ first meeting since 2021, when Minnesota won 27-20. The Vikings have won three games in a row against the Chargers and lead the all-time series 8-6.

Staley said his group would be ready.

“We’ve got guys who are finishers,” Staley said. “We’ve got a quarterback who’s as good as anybody in the NFL, a guy who’s brought us back time and time again. … I think defensively we’ve got a lot of closers. We just got to do it together as a team.”

Cousins spoke about the Vikings, but he might as well have been talking about the Chargers.

“We’ve dug ourselves a little bit of a hole,” he said. “And we’ve got to get out of it.”

Minnesota center Garrett Bradbury (back) is questionable while linebacker Marcus Davenport (ankle) will miss his second straight game.

Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (hamstring) will miss his second straight game, as well as his return to Minnesota. Kendricks starred on the Vikings’ defense for the past eight seasons.

Also, Bosa (hamstring) was a limited practice participant on Friday and is listed as questionable. Linebackers Daiyan Henley (hamstring) and Chris Rumph II (hamstring) and defensive lineman Christopher Hinton (back) also are questionable.

–Field Level Media

The New Orleans Saints’ defense ruined Bryce Young’s home debut in Week 2.

It will now try to spoil quarterback Jordan Love’s first career start at Lambeau Field when the Saints visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The Saints limited Young, the Heisman Trophy-winning No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, to 153 passing yards and recovered his fumble in a 20-17 victory on Monday night.

Young did throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen with 1:16 left in the game — the only touchdown allowed by New Orleans this season.

Love, in his third season and first as the successor to Aaron Rodgers, is the top-rated passer in the NFL with a rating of 118.8. He is tied for the league lead with six touchdown passes and has not thrown an interception.

“I’ve been super impressed with how he’s done, just in terms of leading our team, leading our offense, and the poise he’s shown and command,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said of Love. “I can see his confidence growing every time he gets out there.”

For all the good stuff Love has done, he is just 23rd in the league in passing yards (396). Still, the Packers are No. 2 in scoring offense (31 points per game).

Love will be facing a Saints defense that will be missing starting safety Marcus Maye, who was given a three-game suspension on Wednesday for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“Missing a player of Marcus Maye’s stature is a blow to us, but yet, we feel good about the guy we have backing him up,” New Orleans coach Dennis Allen said.

The Saints’ defense as a whole has been greater than the sum of its parts, and New Orleans (2-0) has allowed an average of just 16 points per game through the first two weeks of the season.

“They’re going to challenge you on all three levels,” LaFleur said of the New Orleans defense. “They’ve got guys at every level and they’ve got complementary pieces around them. They are a physical bunch and they play with extreme effort.”

Maye joined Saints star running back Alvin Kamara on the suspended list. Kamara is completing a three-game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

In Kamara’s absence, New Orleans has scored just three touchdowns, and its scoring average (18 ppg) ranks 25th in the NFL.

“Last week we had a couple of long drives (65 and 51 yards) into the red zone where we stalled,” Allen said. “That’s an area we have to improve in and come away with touchdowns and not settle for field goals.”

The Saints will be without running back Jamaal Williams, who started the first two games in Kamara’s absence but suffered a hamstring injury against Carolina. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday and will miss at least the next four games.

After Williams’ injury, Tony Jones Jr. became the top rushing option and scored his first two NFL touchdowns of his four-year career.

The Saints also announced Saturday that cornerback Paulson Adebo (hamstring) and tight end Foster Moreau (ankle0 have been downgraded to out for Sunday’s game.

Rookie third-round draft choice Kendre Miller, who missed the first two games of the season because of a hamstring injury, returned to practice as a full participant Wednesday.

Packers running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) and starting guard Elgton Jenkins (knee) missed practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring), who was inactive for the first two games, was limited.

–Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars will attempt to get their stagnant offense moving when they host the Houston Texans on Sunday in an AFC South battle.

The Jaguars (1-1) squandered many opportunities during last week’s 17-9 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence is still disappointed with the club’s execution.

“I don’t think any player on offense played anywhere close to their best game,” Lawrence said during Wednesday’s press conference. “We have a group that recognizes that. There is nobody who thinks they played great on Sunday and is above anybody else.”

Jacksonville went 0-for-3 on red-zone opportunities and once had first-and-goal from the Kansas City 1-yard line in the fourth quarter before settling for a field goal. Also, there were four occasions — two each by Zay Jones and Calvin Ridley — in which a receiver was unable to get two feet down in the end zone.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is expecting a much-improved effort against the Texans (0-2). His offense ranks 21st in scoring (20 points per game) and 22nd in total offense (306.5 yards per game).

“I know it’s early, but we’re running out of the early excuse a little bit,” Pederson said Wednesday. “We need to get it addressed pretty quick. … It’s got to be a now mentality. Obviously, we got to continue to work to improve.”

Said receiver Christian Kirk: “We need to look ourselves in the mirror and be very harsh on ourselves.”

Lawrence has passed for 457 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in two games, the first being a 31-21 road win over the Indianapolis Colts.

His life could be made easier if the Texans are without cornerback Derek Stingley. Stingley’s status is up in the air due to a hamstring injury Wednesday. After an MRI, the team fears Stingley could be out multiple games, according to reports. He was placed on IR after nine games as a rookie in 2022 because of a hamstring injury.

Lawrence’s favorite target in the red zone this season, Jones didn’t practice Wednesday with a knee sprain.

The Jaguars routed the host Texans 31-3 in Week 17 of last season to snap a nine-game losing streak against Houston.

The Texans now feature a new quarterback in rookie C.J. Stroud, and the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft is coming off a banner game.

Stroud completed 30 of 47 passes for 384 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 31-20 loss to the Colts. His strong performance came with Houston missing four starting offensive linemen.

“This kid is made of all the right stuff,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Stroud at Wednesday’s press conference. “Happy to have him on board — our team is happy to have him on board. We just have to play complimentary football around him.

Stroud has thrown for 626 yards and two touchdowns. He hasn’t been intercepted despite dealing with soreness in his passing shoulder.

The former Ohio State star said the Jacksonville defense rates as a huge test.

“Great defense all the way around,” Stroud said Wednesday. “They play very well together. We definitely need to be on our ‘A’ game and know where they’re at and try to execute the best we can.”

Despite Stroud’s strong start, the Texans ranks 29th in scoring at 14.5 points per game.

Houston is hopeful star left tackle Laremy Tunsil will return after sitting out versus the Colts due to a knee injury. The three-time Pro Bowler was a limited practice participant on Wednesday.

“He had an issue with the knee. He got it fixed,” Ryans said. “Got treatment around the clock. We’ll see how he feels as the week progresses.”

Safety Jimmie Ward (hip) also was limited but is expected to make his Houston debut. Ward spent the past nine seasons with San Francisco and followed Ryans to town in the offseason after the former 49ers defensive coordinator was named the Texans’ coach.

Three Houston players missed practice: linebacker Denzel Perryman (hand/wrist), safety Jalen Pitre (chest) and cornerback Tavierre Thomas, and Stingley left the workout with his leg injury.

Safety Antonio Johnson (hamstring) and nose tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder) missed practice in Jacksonville on Wednesday. Star pass rusher Josh Allen (shoulder) and safety Andrew Wingard (shoulder) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Five teams in the Super Bowl era scored 70 or more total points while holding opponents to a combined output of 10 or fewer in the first two games of a season.

One of them, the 2023 Dallas Cowboys, sashays into Arizona to challenge the Cardinals (1-1) on Sunday.

First-year Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon contended with Dak Prescott and company in another capacity previously as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. This week, part of his challenge is convincing a shorthanded team to erase the recent memory of blowing a 21-point second-half lead to lose to the New York Giants, 31-28.

For the sake of comparison, the Arizona result came a week after the Cowboys (2-0) whipped the Giants 40-0.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Gannon said Wednesday.

With Kyler Murray (knee) unavailable, the Cardinals started Joshua Dobbs at quarterback for the first two games. He completed 42 of 61 passes for 360 yards with one touchdown in the first two games. Facing injuries and a decided playmaker deficit, Dobbs said the Cardinals are locking in on finishing.

A challenge for the offense, which has 44 points in two games, will be finding a way to move the ball while limiting the impact of Dallas pass rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs. The Cowboys are leading the NFL in multiple defensive categories, yielding 5.0 points per game, collecting 10 sacks and boasting a turnover margin of plus-7. Opponents are converting only 23.1 percent of third downs to first downs (6 of 26).

“My sentiment to the offense has been, when we do execute, when we do what we’re coached to do, we’re a really difficult offense to stop,” said Dobbs, who will start three consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Gannon said the Cardinals are cognizant of not allowing Parsons to wreck the game.

“He’s one of the elite players in the world. Explosive, fast, powerful. He can rush, takes the run away.”

Parsons had 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble last week in a 30-10 win over the host New York Jets. Diggs picked off one pass and shares the NFL lead with 18 interceptions since 2020.

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said the Cowboys are focused on the Cardinals while also carrying the mentality that they can’t be stopped if they do their jobs.

“Come back to the lab each and every day and work on our fundamentals,” Lawrence said. “I feel like, times like this, when you’re 2-0 and you’ve got the hype around the team and things can get out of whack. People can let that self-confidence lead them into some things they don’t need to be in.”

“(Doesn’t) matter who’s back there. We’re gonna hunt. I feel like every week, we’ll be facing a running quarterback. … If you’re not a running quarterback, you’re gonna wanna make sure your legs work that week.”

Dallas hasn’t had to flex offensively with Parsons, Lawrence and pals bruising opponents.

The Cowboys have at least six points in all eight quarters this season. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been highly efficient with head coach Mike McCarthy calling plays. They ran 83 offensive plays against the Jets and 55 against the Giants. But Gannon said it’s not about who to stop so much as how to stop the Cowboys because of their numerous skill-position threats.

“They’ve got a lot of weapons, it’s a well-coached scheme and they’ve been together for awhile now,” Gannon said.

Running back Tony Pollard is one player that McCarthy plans to ease up on this week. In the win over the Jets, he had 25 carries and seven receptions, the heaviest single-game toll of his career.

Left guard Tyler Smith (hamstring), wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee), safety Donovan Wilson (calf) and offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (elbow) practiced on Wednesday, but right guard Zack Martin (ankle) worked with trainers.

–Field Level Media