8:45 a.m. — With DaRon Bland not in the lineup for Sunday’s home opener against the Giants, Brian Schottenheimer said on 105.3 The Fan that the team could look for help at the safety position to step up and play in the nickel spot. In doing so, he was complimentary of defensive cooridnator Matt Eberflus’ ability to change things on a dime.
“One of the things I loved about [Eberflus] when I was going through the interview process, talking to people about him, is his ability to adjust and move things,” Schottenheimer said on 105.3 The Fan. “I think we saw that with Matt and his staff in the second half against Philadelphia.”
The two safeties on the active roster not named Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell. Thomas took some reps at nickel during OTAs and training camp in Oxnard, but did not practice on Thursday due to a personal, non-injury related reason.
Undrafted free agent Alijah Clark is currently on the practice squad, so he could get elevated along with fellow UDFA Zion Childress to get a chance against New York. Second-year nickel corner Reddy Steward is also an option for the Cowboys on the active roster, and will likely get the starting nod.