Micah Parsons

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said the team will prepare for their Week 5 matchup against the Steelers as if Micah Parsons (ankle) won’t be available.

Speaking Monday, McCarthy said Parsons will “be challenged to play this week.” The Cowboys hesitated to rule out Parsons after he went down during Thursday night’s Week 4 matchup against the Giants, but it sounds like they more or less know what his availability will be for Week 5. Whether or not Parsons lands on injured reserve will be the thing to watch for, as his landing on IR would require him to miss at least four games. With DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) also out for the next several weeks, the Cowboys are suddenly very thin at pass-rusher. They’ll likely make a few roster moves in the coming days to account for their losses.