Cowboys News & Notes

DallasCowboys.com reported Friday afternoon that wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring/back) are off the injury report and good to go Sunday against the 49ers. Wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (ribs) is also cleared after missing the last three games.

On a day that mattered for his status, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) was limited in practice and is officially questionable against San Francisco. Fellow corner DaRon Bland was added to the injury report with an ankle injury and is also questionable.

The official site also notes the safety room remains thin: P.J. Locke (concussion) is out, Juanyeh Thomas (hamstring) is doubtful, and Alijah Clark (illness) is questionable.

49ers Webzone published both teams’ official Friday reports. In addition to Locke, Dallas listed as out linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku (ankle), tight end Jake Ferguson (knee/ankle), running back Tyler Goodson (ankle/knee), and receiver Jonathan Mingo (ankle). Juanyeh Thomas is doubtful. Listed as questionable: DaRon Bland, Jonathan Bullard (calf), Alijah Clark, Devin Moore (hip), and Joey Porter.

On the other side, San Francisco listed tackle Trent Williams (shoulder) among its questionable players, while coach Kyle Shanahan said Deebo Samuel is healthy and clear to play. Mike Evans is out with an Achilles injury.

With Tyler Goodson’s knee injury from the Colts game described by the Cowboys as “significant,” DallasCowboys.com reported Friday that practice-squad running back Israel Abanikanda will likely be elevated for the 49ers game. Coach Brian Schottenheimer also pointed to fullback Hunter Luepke for some work, but the official update said it sounds as if the Week 10 job is mostly Abanikanda’s.

“He’s a guy we brought in last year and we really liked,” Schottenheimer said. “He has explosive speed and, when you get him in space, he’s a big man that can run really, really fast. … He’s ready to go.” The official site also noted the team recently re-signed Corbin and Kendre Miller to the practice squad for depth.

Speaking Friday before practice, Schottenheimer said Luepke will get more plays Sunday — and probably more touches — with Goodson and Ferguson out for multiple weeks. Dallas is comfortable using him as a ball carrier, the only back in the backfield, at fullback, or at tight end.

“The simple answer is yes. There’s more opportunities for him,” Schottenheimer said, later adding, “I would expect to see Hunter get more plays this week for sure, and certainly probably some more touches.”

On his weekly appearance Friday on 105.3 The Fan’s K&C Masterpiece, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said a win over the 7-1 49ers could change the direction of a 4-5 season. Dallas beat the Colts 27-23 on Nov. 8 after an overtime loss to Arizona the week before.

Jones said beating San Francisco would give the team energy going forward and that he expects this group to play to its competition. Asked whether a win could change the season’s direction, he said, “Yes, I certainly do,” and added, “It could be dramatic.”

In a Friday preview, DallasCowboys.com writer Tommy Yarrish wrote that rookie defensive back Caleb Downs’ role — including work in the nickel and as a communicator — is amplified against San Francisco. The 49ers send five receivers downfield on 65.3% of dropbacks, the highest rate in the NFL, and use a lot of motion.

The preview notes that Schottenheimer has referred to George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Kyle Juszczyk as “weapons,” and that getting interior pressure from Quinnen Williams is a key to making Brock Purdy uncomfortable. Downs is coming off a sack and an interception in the Nov. 8 win at Indianapolis.