Cowboys Seek Defensive Help; Colorado Gains Momentum

The Dallas Cowboys (3-3) have seen offensive boosts from the returns of CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin but remain hampered by a depleted secondary — Pro Bowl corner Trevon Diggs is listed questionable with a concussion and safety Malik Hooker is on injured reserve — prompting talk that safety is the team's biggest need ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline and owner Jerry Jones saying he has the “ammo” to upgrade the defense. Colorado (3-4) is riding momentum from an upset of No. 22 Iowa State and has instituted a scrimmage rule of starting practices down 7–0 to force resilience as it prepares for Saturday’s road trip to Utah, which is 5-2 and dominant at Rice–Eccles. Coach Deion Sanders says the program is trending upward despite close losses, praising improved practice habits, physicality and consistency and urging players to “play the bill.” Colorado’s roster shows tangible growth: transfer interior lineman Zarian McGill has emerged among the Big 12’s top offensive linemen, the offensive line and run game have improved, freshman DE London Merritt and WR Quentin Gibson have become contributors, and QB Kaidon Salter has taken a step forward. Utah could be without QB Devon Dampier (questionable), and Sanders says Colorado will prepare for Utah’s scheme and aim to make the Utes uncomfortable in Salt Lake City.