Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Reliable contributor in 2024
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Wilson started all 17 regular-season games this season and recorded 82 tackles (44 solo), including 4.5 sacks, five passes defensed, including one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
The safety also played on at least 67 percent of the defensive snaps in every game and on more than 80 percent of the defensive snaps in 14 contests. Wilson, a 2019 sixth-round pick, now has three straight seasons of at least 80 tackles and multiple pass breakups and turnovers forced. After signing a three-year, $21-million extension with the Cowboys in 2023, he'll be entering a contract year in 2025.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Suiting up Sunday
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Wilson (knee) is active for Sunday's matchup with the Commanders.
The safety was questionable coming into Sunday after logging a week of limited practices. Wilson has played in every game this season for the Cowboys and on more than 80 percent of the defensive snaps in 13 of them, recording 80 tackles (42 solo), including 3.5 sacks, five pass breakups, including an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Limited to open week
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Wilson (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice estimation, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Wilson suffered a knee injury during the Cowboys' Week 17 blowout loss to the Eagles, and he finished the game with one solo tackle while playing 41 defensive snaps. His practice participation over the next two days will provide clarity on his status heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Commanders.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Questionable to return Sunday
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Wilson (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Eagles, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
The safety recorded one solo tackle before exiting. Juanyeh Thomas replaced him, even though he's playing with a sprained PCL in his knee, per Archer.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Suiting up Sunday
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Wilson (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
After practicing Wednesday, Wilson landed on the injury report as a non-participant Thursday but returned with a limited session Friday. He'll ultimately keep his perfect attendance intact this season and should handle a starting role. Over his first 15 appearances, he logged 79 tackles (41 solo), including 3.5 sacks, five pass defenses, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Questionable for Week 17
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Wilson (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Wilson popped up on the Cowboys' injury report Thursday as a non-participant due to a knee injury, but he upgraded to a limited session Friday, suggesting he's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's divisional matchup. If the 29-year-old is forced to miss his first game of the season in Week 17 due to this knee injury, Israel Mukuamu is likely to start alongside Malik Hooker as part of Dallas' top safety duo.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Misses practice Thursday
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Wilson (knee) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.
The safety was not listed on Wednesday's injury report. Wilson dealt with an elbow injury ahead of the Cowboys' Week 16 win over the Buccaneers but did not have to miss the game. The seventh-year pro has played on at least 67 percent of Dallas' defensive snaps in all 15 games this season, but Israel Mukuamu and Juanyeh Thomas are the team's backup safeties if Wilson can't go Sunday against the Eagles.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Past elbow issue
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Wilson (elbow) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Wilson was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an elbow injury he likely picked up against the Panthers this past Sunday. However, the injury doesn't appear to be serious as he was able to practice Thursday without any limitations and should be able to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday. In the eight games since the Cowboys' Week 7 bye, Wilson has registered 44 tackles (25 solo), including 1.5 sacks, two pass defenses, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Working through elbow injury
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Wilson (elbow) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Wilson logged five solo tackles across 46 defensive snaps during the Cowboys' 30-14 win over the Panthers this past Sunday. However, it appears he may have picked up an elbow injury in the process, which limited his participation in the Cowboys' first official practice of the week. Wilson will have two more opportunities to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. In the eight regular-season games since the Cowboys' Week 7 bye, Wilson has logged 44 tackles (25 solo), including 1.5 sacks, two pass defenses, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Contributes eight stops in defeat
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Wilson recorded eight tackles (four solo) and recovered a fumble Sunday in a Week 9 loss to the Falcons.
Wilson finished second on Dallas in stops behind Eric Kendricks in the defeat. The safety also made a big play with a second-quarter fumble recovery on a sack of Kirk Cousins, but the Cowboys couldn't convert a key fourth down on their ensuing drive. Wilson's eight tackles Sunday were a season high, and he's totaled 43 total stops through eight games on the campaign.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Tallies sack in blowout loss
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Wilson recorded seven tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 47-9 loss to the Lions.
This was Wilson's first sack since the 2022 season, when he posted 5.0 sacks before failing to post a sack in 2023. Wilson now has 30 tackles (including Sunday's sack), an interception and an additional pass breakup through six games as the Cowboys' starting strong safety. He should remain a high-end IDP option with a solid floor from his tackling performance.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Still in starting role
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Wilson appears headed for another season as a starting safety for the Cowboys.
The 29-year-old Texas A&M product missed the first two games of last season with a calf injury, but he put together a 100-tackle pace over 15 regular-season games after returning to action. Wilson's impressive IDP numbers the last two years came with Dan Quinn as his defensive coordinator, but the switch to Mike Zimmer shouldn't impact him too much, as Zimmer's defenses have a long track record of setting up safeties for success -- Harrison Smith made six Pro Bowls in eight seasons for the Vikings with Zimmer as his head coach.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Solid numbers in 2023
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Wilson recorded 88 tackles (55 solo) while adding three passes defended (two interceptions), one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries over 15 regular-season games in 2023.
The 28-year-old safety missed the first two games of the year with a calf injury and didn't start seeing a full workload until Week 5, but Wilson was his usual tackling machine self down the stretch, with 53 of his stops coming in the Cowboys' final seven regular-season games. He's thrived in defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's scheme, but Wilson's 2024 outlook could take a hit if Quinn takes a head coaching job elsewhere this offseason.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Big day in win over Detroit
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Wilson recorded a team-high 11 tackles (six solo) and added an interception in a Week 17 win over the Lions.
The fifth-year safety reached double-digit tackles for the second straight game as he moves back into a leading role in Dan Quinn's defense. The INT was Wilson's first of the season and the fourth of his career, and he's coming on strong down the stretch with 48 tackles over the last six games. With the Cowboys looking to lock up the NFC East title with a win in Week 18 over the Commanders, Wilson and the rest of the defensive starters should see their usual workloads.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Leading tackler against Miami
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Wilson recorded a team-high 12 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 22-20 loss to the Dolphins.
The fifth-year safety reached double-digit tackles for the first time this season. Wilson would need a huge finish to the season to produce 100-plus tackles again, as he has 72 with two games to go, but he's in strong form with 37 stops, plus one pass defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery over the last five contests.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Suffers right leg injury
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Wilson went down with a right leg injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's contest with the 49ers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Wilson was assisted off the field by the training staff and he appears unlikely to return. More information on his status will likely come following the game.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Back in pads Thursday
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Wilson (calf) was a limited participant at practice Thursday ahead of Sunday's game versus the Jets, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, it's the first time Wilson has been seen in pads since January. He appears to be nearing a return from his calf strain but will probably need to log a full practice Friday in order to avoid carrying an injury designation into the Cowboys' matchup versus the Jets in Week 2.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Status for Week 2 in question
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Wilson (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Wilson had a big workout Wednesday, according to head coach Mike McCarthy, who is hopeful the safety will be able to practice Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports. The 28-year-old was unable to play Week 1 against the Giants and will likely need to log at least a limited session this week if he's going to play Sunday against the Jets. If Wilson is ultimately unable to play, Malik Hooker will likely get the start at free safety.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Projected to miss 4-to-6 weeks
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Wilson (calf) is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks due to the right calf strain he suffered in practice Wednesday, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.
The Cowboys are optimistic that Wilson will be available for the Sept. 10 season opener against the Giants, which is just over six weeks away. Wilson -- who re-signed on a three-year deal worth up to $24 million this offseason -- was carted off Wednesday. He led the team with 101 tackles in 2022.
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Cowboys' Donovan Wilson: Suffers strain
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Wilson, who was carted off the field during practice Wednesday, has been diagnosed with a calf strain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Considering a cart was involved in his leaving the field, this is likely good news for Wilson and the Cowboys. The 28-year-old is coming off the best season of his career and had amassed career highs in tackles and sacks, as he asserted himself as an important piece of the Cowboys' secondary. However, it's still unclear how much of camp he'll miss.
