Cowboys coach says rookie safety Caleb Downs used wrong due to injuries
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The gist
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said injuries forced rookie safety Caleb Downs to play deep, not near the line.
Dallas wants its first-round pick closer to the ball against the Packers on Sunday.
Background
Caleb Downs is a Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive back out of Ohio State, taken with the 11th pick after Dallas traded up in April. The Cowboys have used him mostly at safety over the last two games because of injuries in the secondary, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that is not how the team planned to use him. The topic is drawing attention ahead of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, with reports that his role could change.
How it unfolded
- Apr 2026Dallas traded up to take Downs out of Ohio State with the 11th pick.
- Sep 13, 2026Downs warmed up at MetLife Stadium before the Cowboys faced the New York Giants.
- Last ThursdayDowns played all 72 defensive snaps in a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and finished with 3 tackles.
- Oct 16, 2026Reports said Dallas could have a new plan for Downs against the Packers, and Downs responded to Cowboys legend Michael Irvin calling the team 'hopeless'.
- Oct 18, 2026Schottenheimer admitted the Cowboys haven't used Downs as planned, saying the team wants him near the line of scrimmage.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Schottenheimer said injuries at safety forced Downs to play deeper than designed, and the team wants him around the ball playing nickel.
- Party
- Downs said he has no preference and is fine playing either role, pointing to his multiple roles at Alabama and Ohio State.
- Expert
- Irvin, on ESPN's 'First Take,' called the Cowboys' play 'ugly' and 'hopeless' after the Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay.
Still unverified
Reports suggest a change back to Downs' original usage could come against the Packers on Sunday, possibly moving him to nickel with Markquese Bell next to Malik Hooker, and that Dallas could elevate Derion Kendrick in place of Reddy Steward.