Few franchises, win or lose, have a knack for staying in the headlines like the Dallas Cowboys.
They have done so once more ahead of Sunday's season-ending trip to the New York Giants with their stunning decision to waive former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs on Tuesday. He was quickly picked up by Green Bay on Wednesday to fortify its struggling defense ahead of the playoffs.
First-year coach Brian Schottenheimer reiterated on Wednesday that the decision to cut Diggs wasn't totally about his decision to contravene franchise protocol and not fly home with the team after Dallas' 30-23 Christmas Day win at Washington.
"A culmination of multiple factors," Schottenheimer said. "Performance, other elements. He's been an incredible player for this organization. ... He decided to make a decision. I'll say this: It's not the only reason that this decision was made."
Cutting Diggs not only weakens a secondary that was already struggling to stop the opposition, it could also create more serious dilemmas for Sunday. Shavon Revel Jr., a rookie Schottenheimer professes to like, sat out practice on Wednesday after sustaining a concussion and neck injury in Washington.
That could put more pressure on an already potent offense to rack up the big numbers it has produced this year. The Cowboys (7-8-1) lead the NFL in total yards per game (398.6) and passing yards (274.0) while ranking fourth in points per game at 28.4.
Quarterback Dak Prescott enters Week 18 with a league-high 4,482 passing yards, 34 ahead of the Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford. Prescott could become the first Dallas quarterback to lead the NFL in aerial yardage.
While Dallas aims for a .500 finish, New York (3-13) could earn the No. 1 overall pick if it loses and Las Vegas beats Kansas City, thanks to an inferior strength of schedule. Ironically, the Giants could have sealed the No. 1 pick last week but routed the Raiders 34-10 in Sin City.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 207 yards on 22-of-30 passing while adding 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Dart's nine rushing scores are a franchise record for a quarterback and the third most by a rookie QB in NFL history.
In theory, Dart could end his first year in the league with a bang. The Cowboys own the league's worst passing defense (253.6 yards per game allowed) and are tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (33).
"Jaxson's been a pleasure to coach," said Giants interim coach Mike Kafka. "You see the growth and you see a player that's continuing to learn from the good, the bad and continuing to take steps forward. ... He's going to continue to grow and get better."
Another rookie coming into his own lately is outside linebacker Abdul Carter, who has at least a half-sack in four straight games, the best streak by a Giants rookie since 1982.
Carter was sent home from Wednesday's practice with an illness, but returned to practice in limited fashion Friday and has no injury designation. Leading receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (92 catches, 1,014 yards) also didn't practice all week because of a rib injury and was ruled out Friday, along with tight end Theo Johnson (illness), cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (knee), safety S Jevon Holland (knee/concussion), defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches Sr. (ankle/toe) and offensive lineman Evan Neal (neck). Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (illness) is questionable.
Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (81 catches, 595 yards, eight TDs) sat out Wednesday with a calf injury but returned to a limited practice Thursday and a full practice Friday and has no injury designation. Five players were ruled out: RBs Javonte Williams (neck/shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf/eye), left guard T.J. Bass (knee), linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) and cornerback Shavon Revel (concussion/neck).
Three Cowboys who were designated to return from injured reserve -- cornerback Josh Butler (knee), running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) and defensive end Payton Turner (ribs) -- are questionable.
--Field Level Media