Cowboys weigh IR-return options four weeks in; Caelen Carson, Phil Mafah, Jonathan Mingo, and Payton Turner are eligible to begin the 21‑day practice window, with activation possible at any point. Shavon Revel Jr. is also cleared to be activated from the Non‑Football Injury list after ACL rehab.

Lamb and Booker aren’t slated for IR but their availability remains uncertain after high ankle sprains. With Malik Hooker sidelined, Juanyeh Thomas is primed for expanded safety duties as Dallas eyes a Week 5 clash with the Jets. Guyton and Miles Sanders could return to face New York, while Revel’s knee remains a watch item.

Team decision timelines will shape which players step in, and fantasy managers should monitor practice reports for concrete activation news and snap expectations before Game Day.

The Cowboys host the Giants in Week 2 with NFC East stakes high and health a clear factor. DaRon Bland’s foot issue and boot-walked status cloud Dallas’ plans on defense and could force a quicker test for Shavon Revel and depth corners, especially early in 2025. New York arrives with QB identity questions, setting up a matchup that could swing fantasy lineups on the boundary and in the pass rush.

Dallas leans on Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons and Sam Williams to carry the load, while Jadeveon Clowney’s visit adds a potential late-roster dynamic that could reshape edge rotations. If Bland plays, parity on the boundary cushions the defense; if not, Revel’s role grows, elevating other secondary pieces in fantasy considerations as the Cowboys chase a win that could set tone for the division.