Cowboys confirmed suspicions about new pecking order that has shoved rookie into the spotlight with win over Commanders
This week’s snap count review says a lot about the Dallas Cowboys’ fifth-round rookie.
Film will reveal a lot more behind the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday but for now, snap counts will do.
A quick glance at playing time from Week 7 taught us a lot about the pecking order at linebacker while raising questions about what the coaching staff is doing on offense. Let’s dive into my biggest three takeaways from this week’s Cowboys snap count review.
Shemar James is now a starter over Jack Sanborn
Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus confirmed suspicions about a new pecking order at linebacker and left no room for interpretation on Sunday: Fifth-round rookie Shemar James is now a full-time starter. James played 99% of the defensive snaps versus Washington and he responded with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, one strip sack, and two QB hits.
Kenneth Murray has taken Jack Sanborn’s previous middle linebacker role and now Sanborn—a 2025 free agency signing—appears to have been relegated to special teams duty only. Upon returning from a stint in the concussion protocol, Sanborn registered zero snaps on defense despite the lopsided win.
We’ll see how DeMarvion Overshown’s imminent return impacts roles at linebacker but for now, it appears it’s all Murray and James. Marist Liufau was the only other LB to see playing time on defense with ten snaps (15%).
Ryan Flournoy’s usage is getting confusing
It’s almost as if Flournoy’s 114-yard performance in Week 5 never happened. On Sunday’s win, Flournoy’s 19 offensive snaps paled in comparison to Jalen Tolbert’s 33, who finished with one catch for a 16-yard gain.
Though I believe the Tolbert criticism can get out of hand at times, I just don’t see why Flournoy hasn’t overtaken him in the depth chart. During the win over the Jets, Flournoy proved he can be a productive wide receiver and his blocking going back to the preseason has been better than Tolbert’s. The latter’s holding foul below wiped away a 14-yard rush from rookie running back Jaydon Blue.
With Dallas expected to get Jonathan Mingo back in Week 8, I wonder if Flournoy’s chances of making an impact will not materialize despite his big outing versus the New York Jets.
Trikweze Bridges gets an unexpectedly big day, Caelen Carson doesn’t play
With Trevon Diggs out (concussion protocol) and Carson returning from Injured Reserve, I expected the Cowboys to rock with Kaiir Elam, DaRon Bland, and Reddy Steward at cornerback. In fact, the Cowboys opted for Trikweze Bridges over Carson and Steward. He started outside and registered a 79% snap count. The decision was probably the result of wanting to play Bland inside most of the game to match up with TE Zach Ertz at times, which he did.
Bridges was decent, allowing two catches for 48 yards, most of which came in a big 35-yard pass completion.
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