The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need of some defensive reinforcements. And while all eyes are on Jerry Jones to pull off a trade before the November 4 deadline, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards, at least not yet. Still, the team did manage to get a bit of help on that side of the ball.

On Wednesday, the Cowboys announced that they’ve designated defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey for return to practice. The 25-year-old DT signed with the Cowboys in June this year and was a standout during the training camp and the preseason.

However, Winfrey went down with a lower back injury in late August and was placed on the injured reserve. Fast forward to now, and Dallas has just opened the DT’s 21-day window as he returns from the injured reserve.

A former fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns back in 2022, Winfrey suited up for the Browns in 13 games in his rookie season before being cut the very next year. From there, the 25-year-old spent some time with the New York Jets in 2023, but failed to play a regular-season game since.

However, Winfrey played for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) and was named All-UFL Team this year before signing with the Cowboys. Dallas’ decision to bring the defensive tackle back to practice on Wednesday came right after they opened the 21-day window for linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie corner Shavon Revel.

The Cowboys are looking for a spark up front, given that their run defense has been shaky lately. So, if Winfrey shows even a bit of promise in practice, expect him to land a spot on the 53-man roster soon. After all, Jerry Jones doesn’t actually seem to make a trade move.

Jerry Jones doesn’t seem to have a trade candidate

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have needed a defensive player ever since they traded Micah Parsons. Ahead of the trade deadline, rumors connected them with Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals.

But as things stand, Crosby has reportedly decided to stay in Vegas, and Hendrickson in Cincy. That raises a question: Is Jerry still interested in a defensive trade, considering they still need some help on the pass rush? Well, it feels like the trade isn’t happening soon, per Jerry’s recent statement.

“It’s not as bad as it looks … but it also has a lot of room for improvement for us to be where we want to be on defense. – We need combination, we need to basically have better play from the linebackers, maintaining the integrity of the gaps, which the linebackers have to fill,” the owner said on 105.3 The Fan.

The Cowboys are one of the top teams in points and yards, sure. But they are hanging in the basement in points allowed and yards allowed. Think of over 30 points and over 400 yards in most of the games. And with Hendrickson and Crosby reportedly out of the picture, Jerry doesn’t seem to have another trade option in his mind.

“I can tell you this right now, there is not a trade in my mind, the beginning and end of one, as we sit here and talk … we just don’t have one at this time that I would do,” the owner added.

The vibe has been changing in Dallas. While their offense has been dominating, the same can’t be said about the defense. As for the trade? Well, the deadline is almost here, and there’s still no confirmation.