Mike McCarthy reveals status of Jayron Kearse for Week 13 vs Seahawks

On Sunday, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy provided a status update on injured safety Jayron Kearse for Thursday Night Football. Kearse missed the Thanksgiving Day win against the Washington Commanders due to an issue with his back, however, there is progress. The starter will take part in half of the team’s reps during practice on Sunday and according to McCarthy, he “looks good.”

The head coach wouldn’t go so far as to say Kearse will play on Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks, but he said there’s a “good chance.” Dallas’ defense had no trouble handling the Commanders last week without the veteran, but the sooner he’s back, the better.

Kearse, a former seventh-round draft pick out of Clemson, has 47 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and one interception so far this season. He’s fourth on the Dallas defense in tackles this year, despite playing one fewer game than the other tackling leaders.

The Cowboys defense has been on a tear over the last three games. While scoring 127 points against the Giants, Panthers and Commanders, they’ve allowed just 37 points on defense.

DaRon Bland sending cleats, gloves to Pro Football Hall of Fame

After notching an NFL record-breaking fifth pick-six on Thursday against the Commanders, Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland is sending the cleats and gloves he wore to the Pro Football Hall of Fame where they’ll be enshrined forever to honor the second-year star. Although he is giving up the gear, the ball he snagged off of Sam Howell will stay with him.

Bland developed his propensity for grabbing the ball from his days as a player on offense. Although he eventually moved to the defense, his love of making big plays on the ball never left.

“When I first started playing football, it was on offense,” Bland said on Thursday, via DallasCowboys.com. “When I was a young kid, I was playing running back and transitioned to playing quarterback. Always played defense too but I played receiver in middle school.”

“Every time the ball goes in the air, I go back to my offensive ways. Trying to get the ball and see what I can do with the ball in my hands.”

After he broke the long-standing record, Bland shot up in the odds for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He now has the fourth-best odds, joining teammate Micah Parsons in the top five.

“I hear it, people talking and saying I should be in it,” Bland said. “But if it happens, it happens.”