Xavier Woods
Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, left, listens to wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) during NFL football training camp Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Buoyed by experienced 'D,' Zimmer exudes unfamiliar optimism

By Dave Campbell Jul. 29, 2021 07:28 PM EDT

Cowboys sign S Malik Hooker, 1st-round pick by Colts in 2017

Jul. 27, 2021 03:58 PM EDT
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed safety Malik Hooker on Tuesday, adding the 2017 first-round draft pick who couldn't stay healthy in four...

Zimmer, Vikings aim for rebound with restocked defense

By The Associated Press Jul. 24, 2021 11:28 AM EDT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) CAMP SITE: Eagan, Minnesota LAST YEAR: After a badly deteriorated defense and a rash of...

Cowboys return to California for camp coming off 6-10 season

By The Associated Press Jul. 19, 2021 02:23 PM EDT
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) CAMP SITE: Oxnard, California LAST YEAR: QB Dak Prescott's season-ending ankle injury in Week 5...

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter runs through a drill during NFL football minicamp practice Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Back from neck injury, grateful Hunter excited about Vikes D

By Dave Campbell Jun. 16, 2021 06:26 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) watches during NFL football minicamp practice Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. Hunter just signed a re-worked contract. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Vikes further bolster front by signing DT Sheldon Richardson

By Dave Campbell Jun. 15, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

File-This Oct. 31, 2020, file photo shows Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) rushing the quarterback during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich. Paye is one of the top edge rushers in this year’s draft who could entice the Vikings with the No. 14 overall pick. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
With needs on both lines, Vikes have draft-pick limitations

By Dave Campbell Apr. 23, 2021 04:27 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive backs Jared Mayden (21) and Patrick Surtain II (2) break up a pass intended for Duke wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (5) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Atlanta, in this Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, file photo. The Cowboys should have their choice of cornerbacks after losing starter Chidobe Awuzie to Cincinnati in free agency, possibly grabbing his replacement to start alongside 2020 second-round choice Trevon Diggs. Former Alabama teammate Patrick Surtain II is a popular name in mock drafts.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Dallas D needs draft help again, but don't rule out offense

By Schuyler Dixon Apr. 23, 2021 03:45 PM EDT

Cowboys have 10th overall pick, need help for woeful defense

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:45 PM EDT
10. DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) LAST SEASON: A slow start turned ugly under first-year coach Mike McCarthy with QB Dak Prescott's gruesome season...

With No. 14 pick, Vikings could use boost on both lines

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:32 PM EDT
14. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) LAST SEASON: Minnesota stumbled to a 1-5 start due largely to a deteriorated defense coach Mike Zimmer declared...

Cowboys sign Kazee, another Quinn connection from Atlanta

Mar. 29, 2021 06:27 PM EDT
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed free agent safety Damontae Kazee on Monday, adding another player from new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's...

FILE - Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander waits on the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, in this Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, file photo. The Vikings have added more seasoning to their secondary by agreeing to contract terms with cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safety Xavier Woods. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Secondary help: Vikings bring back Alexander, add Woods

By Dave Campbell Mar. 29, 2021 10:46 AM EDT

Defense again figures to be focus for Cowboys in free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:33 PM EST
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Andy Dalton, DE Aldon Smith, S Xavier Woods, CB Chidobe Awuzie, CB Jourdan Lewis, LB...

Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott, center, pushes through New York Giants defenders to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Defense figures to be focus as Cowboys miss playoffs again

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 04, 2021 05:22 PM EST

New York Giants' Sterling Shepard (87) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants 1/3/2021

Jan. 03, 2021 01:16 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (57) and cornerback Michael Jacquet (38) close in to make the stop in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Elliott, Cowboys still have hope in star RB's rough season

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 01, 2021 04:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry plays against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, in Cleveland. The Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without four wide receivers, including star Landry, their starting middle linebacker and his replacement due to COVID-19 protocols. But despite the six players being out, an NFL spokesman said Cleveland's game at the New York Jets will be played as scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2020 12:04 PM EST

Cowboys DT Woods to miss final 2 games with ankle injury

Dec. 26, 2020 03:49 PM EST
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Cowboys placed defensive tackle Antwaun Woods on injured reserve Saturday because of an ankle injury, ending another starter's season...

Dallas Cowboys' Andy Dalton (14), Dalton Schultz, rear, celebrate a touchdown run by Tony Pollard (20) in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Turnaround on turnovers helps Cowboys keep faint hopes alive

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 21, 2020 12:24 PM EST

NFL Today-Week 15

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 09:14 PM EST
SCOREBOARD Monday, Dec. 21 Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN — The Steelers have lost two straight...