Amid Cowboys Trade Buzz, George Pickens Status & 2 Roster Moves Revealed

The Dallas Cowboys made two maybe relatively minor roster decisions on Saturday in advance of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium.

And on Sunday morning? They are in the process of major a major decision.

The official roster moves? 

Dallas activated safety PJ Locke from injured reserve and the club also elevated tight end James Mitchell.

Mitchell doesn't figure as much of a factor here, we don't think. Locke? Signed as a free agent from Denver, he can certainly be at least a special-teams helper.

But the biggest news of the morning?

Word from AT&T Stadium is that star receiver George Pickens is good to go.

Maybe this was a tempest in a teapot all along. But Pickens - who has been the subject of controversy and even trade rumors in recent days - has been on the injury list while practicing and playing with a bum shoulder.

Last week, Dallas ended a two-game losing streak with a win at Philadelphia that came in the wake of head coach Brian Schottenheimer having called out Pickens for his run-game blocking. (And privately, we're told, for other effort-related issues).

Pickens caught a TD pass in that win, but he also saw his snap count go down in Week 7 as he played just 41 of 68 offensive snaps - 60 percent ... a substantial reduction from his usual 85-percent participation level.

Was that about the sore shoulder? Maybe a bit. 

Was it about him benched on some run plays? Maybe a bit.

Pickens is in the final year of his deal, so that's in play at some have suggested Dallas might trade him before the Nov. 10 deadline.

Our view is that Pickens' presence is part of what makes the Cowboys offense special ... as long as his effort is up to part.

Meanwhile, Locke fills the only opening Dallas had on its 53-man roster as he comes back from having torn his plantar fascia in Week 2. designation into Monday’s game at Philadelphia but was not activated and did not travel.

Dallas signed Locke to a one-year, $5 million contract March 10. He had spent the previous seven seasons with the Broncos, where he was coached by current Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who worked with Denver’s defensive backs from 2021 to 2023.

Third-string tight end Luke Schoonmaker has been dealing with a groin injury, so up comes Mitchell, who recently signed here after having stints with the Detroit Lions and Carolina. In his career, Mitchell has appeared in 35 games and caught 16 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown.

Kickoff against Arizona is set for noon CT on FOX, with the Cowboys at 3-4 and the Cardinals - who have notably won four straight against the Cowboys - at 2-5.