Five Cowboys who ought to play fewer games in the 2025 NFL season

Five Cowboys Who Ought to Play Fewer Games in the 2025 NFL Season

The Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, consistently find themselves competing for a playoff spot year in and year out. With a talented roster, a strong coaching staff, and a franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have the tools necessary to contend for a Super Bowl. However, success in the NFL isn’t just about fielding the best players every game—it’s also about managing the health, workload, and longevity of key players throughout the season.

As the Cowboys head into the 2025 NFL season, one of the biggest challenges will be ensuring that their most important players stay healthy and fresh for the postseason. This means strategically limiting the number of games played by certain players to avoid overuse injuries and to keep them in top form for the most critical games of the year.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five players on the Cowboys’ roster who should have their workloads reduced in the 2025 season. These players might benefit from fewer games to maintain their effectiveness, avoid injury, and help the team achieve its ultimate goal of a Super Bowl championship.

1. Dak Prescott – Quarterback

As the leader of the Cowboys’ offense, Dak Prescott’s health and performance are the most critical factors in the team’s success. Prescott has been a reliable and capable quarterback for the Cowboys since being drafted in 2016, but he’s also faced his fair share of injuries over the years. Most notably, a broken ankle in 2020 sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, and there have been recurring issues with his shoulder and thumb injuries.

While Prescott is undoubtedly the Cowboys’ starting quarterback and their best chance to win games, it’s crucial that the team manages his workload during the regular season. Quarterbacks take an immense beating over the course of a season, and Prescott has been no exception. With a deep roster that includes a solid supporting cast in the receiving game and a reliable offensive line, there’s no reason to risk overusing Prescott in the regular season.

To ensure Prescott’s health heading into the playoffs, the Cowboys should consider limiting his playing time in games that are not vital to the team’s postseason aspirations. This could mean giving Prescott some rest during blowout games or allowing backup quarterback Cooper Rush to start in a few non-critical matchups. With the Cowboys’ playoff hopes largely hinging on Prescott’s performance, preserving his energy and health throughout the season should be a top priority.

By reducing Prescott’s games or his number of snaps in certain contests, the Cowboys could avoid putting unnecessary wear and tear on their franchise quarterback while giving him the best chance to perform at a high level when it matters most.

2. Ezekiel Elliott – Running Back

Ezekiel Elliott, once regarded as one of the top running backs in the league, has faced a decline in his performance over the past few seasons. The wear and tear of being an every-down back in the NFL, coupled with the fact that Elliott has been one of the most heavily used running backs in the league, have led to diminishing returns on the field. Elliott, while still a capable player, no longer has the same explosiveness and power that made him one of the NFL’s elite running backs in his prime.

In 2025, the Cowboys need to be strategic with Elliott’s usage. The team has a strong running back corps, with Tony Pollard emerging as a more dynamic and explosive player. Pollard has proven to be the more efficient option for the Cowboys, both in terms of yardage and versatility as a receiver out of the backfield. While Elliott still plays a key role as a power back in short-yardage situations, it’s clear that his role should be more limited going forward.

Rather than using Elliott for the majority of snaps, the Cowboys should rely on Pollard as the primary ball carrier and give Elliott fewer touches throughout the season. This approach not only preserves Elliott’s legs but also allows Pollard to establish himself as the team’s workhorse back. By reducing Elliott’s games and usage, the Cowboys can ensure that the running back duo remains fresh and effective throughout the season, with both players being available when it matters most—during the postseason.

Elliott should be used strategically in specific game situations, such as goal-line situations or to relieve Pollard when he needs rest. By limiting Elliott’s workload, the Cowboys can manage his career more effectively while maintaining an effective rushing attack.

3. DeMarcus Lawrence – Defensive End

DeMarcus Lawrence, one of the Cowboys’ most important defensive players, has been a consistent force on the edge of the defense for several years. Known for his ability to rush the passer and stop the run, Lawrence has been a key component in the Cowboys’ defensive schemes. However, like many players in the NFL, Lawrence has experienced his fair share of injuries, including shoulder and back issues that have plagued him at times.

The Cowboys should look to reduce Lawrence’s playing time in order to ensure that he is fresh for the crucial moments of the season. As a veteran defensive end, Lawrence can still be an elite pass rusher, but there is no need for him to play every snap, especially in non-competitive games. The Cowboys’ defense, which includes young and talented pass rushers like Micah Parsons and Sam Williams, has the depth to rotate players along the defensive line.

Limiting Lawrence’s snaps in the regular season could help keep him healthy for the playoffs, where his ability to rush the quarterback and create havoc in the backfield will be invaluable. Additionally, giving Lawrence some time off during games in which the outcome is all but decided would allow younger players to gain experience while preserving Lawrence’s energy for the most important games.

By reducing Lawrence’s role in certain situations and limiting his overall playing time, the Cowboys can maximize his impact while ensuring that he remains a dominant force in their pass rush throughout the season.

4. Tyron Smith – Left Tackle

Tyron Smith has been one of the best left tackles in the NFL for over a decade, but injuries have started to take a toll on his body. Smith has missed a significant amount of time in recent seasons due to back and knee injuries, and there is no denying that his days of being a full-time starter are numbered. Despite his age and injury history, Smith remains one of the most important pieces of the Cowboys’ offensive line when he’s healthy.

To extend Smith’s career and maintain the quality of his play, the Cowboys should limit his games and playing time during the 2025 season. With Terence Steele and Tyler Smith both capable of stepping into starting roles at offensive tackle, the Cowboys should give Smith more rest during the regular season, particularly in games that are not critical to the team’s playoff push.

By reducing Smith’s games, the Cowboys can ensure that he stays healthy and effective when it counts most—during the playoffs. Smith’s ability to protect Dak Prescott’s blind side is still crucial to the Cowboys’ success, and limiting his workload will help the Cowboys get the most out of him when the team needs it most.

Additionally, using Smith in a rotational capacity or giving him occasional games off will give the Cowboys’ offensive line the flexibility to develop younger players and experiment with different line combinations, all while managing Smith’s health and reducing the risk of a serious injury.

5. Leighton Vander Esch – Linebacker

Leighton Vander Esch, once considered one of the most promising linebackers in the NFL, has unfortunately dealt with a series of neck injuries that have hindered his performance and limited his playing time. While Vander Esch has remained a key member of the Cowboys’ defense, his history of injuries means that the team must be cautious with his workload moving forward.

The Cowboys have a talented linebacker corps, with players like Micah Parsons, Damone Clark, and Jabril Cox all capable of stepping up to play significant snaps. This depth gives the team the flexibility to reduce Vander Esch’s playing time and ensure that he remains healthy for the most important games of the season.

In 2025, Vander Esch should be used sparingly, with the Cowboys prioritizing his availability for key moments in the season, particularly in the playoffs. The Cowboys’ defensive scheme can adapt to using different combinations of linebackers, which will allow Vander Esch to stay fresh while still contributing to the team’s efforts on defense. By limiting his games and playing time, the Cowboys can preserve Vander Esch’s career and ensure that he remains a key contributor when the stakes are highest.