The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly one of multiple teams that are considering a trade to acquire Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson before the NFL trade deadline.
Tony Pauline of Sports Keeda reported Thursday that Dallas is expected to be one of multiple teams that will look into trading for one of the best pass rushers in the league if he is available before the deadline.
Other teams that will consider trades for the four-time Pro-Bowler are the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Indianapolis Colts.
Cincinnati is currently just 3-4 on the season and could struggle to make the playoffs due to an injury to quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to miss the majority of the season with a turf toe.
Hendrickson is also scheduled to be a free agent following the conclusion of the season, meaning the Bengals could look to trade him to another franchise in exchange for draft capital rather than allowing him to leave without a return in free agency.
While Dallas may be hesitant to acquire a player who could leave next offseason, especially with the team needing to sign wide receiver George Pickens to a new contract, this report aligns with previous statements made by owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
Jones has already indicated that the team is prepared to make a move at some point during the regular season, with the most likely trade coming on the defensive side of the ball.
“There’s nothing untouchable in our resources to help our team. And there’s no way that I’m at a point right now to where I would not do something because of where we are into the season, six games. I would go as early as I would if we were talking three games back,” he said, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Dallas could consider using draft capital to acquire a key defensive player, given that the franchise obtained two future first-round picks from the Green Bay Packers in the trade involving Micah Parsons.
Although Dallas is unlikely to trade one of these first-round picks, having this additional capital in the early rounds could allow for more flexibility with later-round picks, which could help move the needle on a meaningful trade in the future.
The Cowboys are also expecting to have multiple players return from injury within the coming weeks, as cornerback Shavon Revel and linebacker Demarvion Overshown could return to the field at some point this season.
Revel was recently spotted with the rehab group during the Cowboys’ practice, indicating that he could be improving in his ACL recovery and may be cleared to practice at some point within the coming weeks.
Notably, Revel was practicing with a brace on his knee, a new development that could be worth monitoring as he looks to finish his recovery.
Meanwhile, Overshown is expected to be back on the field at some point within the next month.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported earlier this week that Overshown is close to returning to practice, with the Cowboys expecting to open his three-week practice window at some point this month with the goal of him returning to the field in November.
Interestingly, Jones was asked whether the team will still be in playoff contention by the time Overshown makes his return, with the Cowboys owner seemingly hinting that the team is working to bring another piece to the team.
“We will have something else by the time that we get there, and I hope that [Overshown’s return is] sooner than 4-5 weeks,” he said, per Tommy Yarrish.
Currently, there is no timeline for the return of either Revel or Overshown, and there is no indication that the Cowboys are in advanced talks to acquire another player on the defensive side of the ball.
However, Dallas has enough draft capital to complete a deal and has a chance to compete at a high level if the defense begins to find a rhythm, as the Cowboys’ offensive unit has been one of the best in the NFL to start the season.