FRISCO, Texas — Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said this week that cornerbacks Caelen Carson and Ameer Speed will compete for snaps opposite new starter Joey Porter Jr. while Shavon Revel Jr. works back from a knee and ankle injury.
Revel left Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro after getting hurt in his first start of the season. Speed took one series afterward, and Carson played the rest of the way. Schottenheimer said Tuesday it was a balancing act and that both players rep.
“It’s a balancing act. Both guys rep. Speed is a huge part of what we do on special teams, but we like what both guys give us. Both can play multiple spots, though they’re more outside pieces,” Schottenheimer said. “Both will compete this week because Shavon should work back into practice, but we still have to see how he moves around.”
Revel did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was a full participant Friday. He carries no injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
The Dallas Cowboys acquired Porter from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday night for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Cornerback Cobie Durant is out with a hamstring injury, and Dallas elevated cornerback Reddy Steward from the practice squad Saturday.
Caelen Carson Brings Instincts And Ameer Speed Brings Size
Schottenheimer said Wednesday that Carson anticipates route combinations well and that Speed has size and speed. He said both would be ready if pressed into duty.
“Yeah, well, we’ll see how Shavon does. That’s the first thing. We like them both. If they’re both pressed into duty, they’ll both be ready,” Schottenheimer said. “I think you start with Caelen; his instincts are really, really good. His ability to anticipate and read route matches and things like that is great. And then, of course, Speedy is a guy that’s got size and speed, no pun intended. Both those guys have value to us.”
Carson is in his third season after Dallas drafted him in the fifth round out of Wake Forest in 2024. Injuries cost him time in each of his first two seasons. Schottenheimer said during camp that Carson had found a mentor in passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley.
Speed, a 6-foot-3 cornerback, won a national championship at Georgia before finishing his college career at Michigan State. The New England Patriots drafted him in the sixth round in 2023. He spent parts of three NFL seasons with New England, Indianapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, and Houston before signing with Dallas in June out of the UFL’s Houston Gamblers.
Cowboys Expect A Simpler Plan In The Secondary
Schottenheimer said Wednesday that the injuries will probably make the plan simpler at Houston, because the Cowboys could be playing with defensive backs who do not yet know the whole system.
“No. I mean, we’re aware of the injuries, and we’re aware that you really don’t have a choice. You could be playing with some guys that don’t have a ton of understanding of what we’re doing,” Schottenheimer said. “So it’s not going to be about us fooling anybody. It’s going to be about us executing and playing well.”
Safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke are on injured reserve. Safety Juanyeh Thomas was elevated Saturday along with Steward.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker said Thursday that he wants the best 11 on the field each week and lets performance decide the personnel.
“So, again, we just got the collection of talent. Obviously we have guys out, guys come back. What does that look like? You’re moving that around, former starters, current starters, all those things, and you let guys’ performances dictate what you want to do with your personnel,” Parker said.
Kickoff at Reliant Stadium is set for noon CT Sunday on Fox.
