INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 09: Perrion Winfrey #99 of the Dallas Cowboys during a NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

A defensive lineman is dealing with back tightness for the Dallas Cowboys and it can no longer possibly be Micah Parsons.

Cowboys defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey went down with an injury early in practice on Aug. 31. He was able to walk to the locker room while being assisted by team trainers.

The initial diagnosis is back tightness, according to Calvin Watkins with Dallas Morning News.

The injury shouldn’t keep the 25-year-0ld off the field for a long period of time, although Parsons long cited back tightness for not participating during his holdout prior to his stunning trade to the Green Bay Packers last week.

Cowboys have Depth at Defensive Tackle by Acquiring Kenny Clark

The Cowboys jump start the entire NFL season on Sept. 4 at the Philadelphia Eagles, as the reigning Super Bowl champions will recognize their accomplishments last season and hang a new banner.

Winfrey, a fourth-round pick in 2022, is one of 53 to make the Cowboys’ roster. If he does miss some time, luckily the Cowboys received three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark in the Parsons trade.

GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 22: Easton Stick #12 of the Atlanta Falcons avoids a tackle by Perrion Winfrey #99 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The other defensive tackles on the Cowboys are Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas and Jay Toia.

The Cowboys know stopping the run is the priority, and that starts with having a full roster ready for Week 1. Saquon Barkley presents a tough challenge, but the front office’s message is clear: Dallas intends to shut down the run game.

Cowboys Lock In All-Pro Cornerback for Four Years

Dallas also made news in the secondary on Aug. 31, agreeing to a contract extension with cornerback DaRon Bland.

The Cowboys locked in Bland with a four-year, $92 million extension, including $50 million in guarantees, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal carries an average annual value of $23 million, positioning Bland among the sixth-highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Despite playing only seven games in 2024 due to a lingering foot injury, Bland’s All-Pro 2023 season—when he recorded nine interceptions and set an NFL record with five pick-sixes—was enough to secure his long-term future in Dallas.

Bland shared that it’s been a grind.

“Just being patient and learning to grow,” he told reporters. “Having the mindset of where I was at was not where I was going to be, the end point. Just driving each day, taking it day-by-day.”

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer is pleased that a deal got done.

“I’m so happy for him,” he said. “Just the way he’s worked. Shot onto the scene a couple years ago and made an immediate impact as a rookie playing nickel and doing things like that. To see him a couple years after that with all the pick-sixes. I’m so happy for him and his family. … He’s such a humble young man. But so well-deserved. He’s one of those guys that you love him as a teammate, you love him as a competitor. Doesn’t say much, but, man, he gives you everything he’s got.”

Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering the NFL, NBA, legal affairs, and entertainment. He’s covered the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories since 2019. More about Drake Bentley