Dallas sports teams today: Cowboys eye WR clearance, Stars hit 10 straight with points, Mavericks juggle backcourt fixes, Rangers weigh second base, and World Cup buzz grows

Dallas fans woke up to a busy Monday across the board. The Cowboys head into a pivotal stretch monitoring star health and O-line reinforcements, the Stars extended their point streak to double digits with late-game heroics, the Mavericks continue to retool a banged-up backcourt, and the Rangers’ infield puzzle is front and center as winter business accelerates. Add in fresh momentum around 2026 World Cup plans in Arlington, and the metroplex sports calendar is packed.

Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb progressing, tackle help on the way

The Cowboys’ biggest storyline remains the status of CeeDee Lamb after he exited last week’s loss with a concussion. Team updates Monday indicated he’s “doing good” and progressing through return-to-play steps. That keeps open the possibility of a timely clearance, though independent evaluation remains the final hurdle.

On the offensive line, first-round right tackle Tyler Guyton is trending toward a return after missing two games with an ankle issue. Dallas has shuffled protections in his absence; getting him back would stabilize the edge in pass pro and unlock more outside-zone looks. The club sits at 6-6-1 after Detroit, with Minnesota next on the docket—an opponent that stresses protection with multiple-front pressures.

What to watch: practice participation levels for Lamb and Guyton midweek; any hints of snap-count management if both are greenlit.

Stars: late rally, shootout winner, and a 10-game point streak

The Stars delivered another resilient finish Sunday, tying Pittsburgh with 1:49 to go before sealing a shootout win. The result pushed Dallas to an 8-0-2 run over its last 10, a stretch built on structure despite a depleted blue line. Miro Heiskanen extended his goal streak and Jamie Benn continued his steady climb after a delayed season start, while depth scoring kept the team afloat during injury gaps.

Defensively, Dallas has been forced to lean on next-man-up pairings with multiple defensemen out. Goaltending has covered the margins, and the penalty kill has steadied after a choppy October. The hallmark of this streak: poise in one-goal games and patience to manufacture late chances without blowing shape.

What’s next: managing minutes on the road with a battered defense corps; sustaining the special-teams uptick that’s underpinned the surge.

Mavericks: injuries force creativity; two-way guard surges into the spotlight

The Mavericks’ backcourt remains a moving target. Kyrie Irving continues to rehab a knee issue, and guard depth took a hit with Dante Exum sidelined for the season. In that vacuum, rookie guard Ryan Nembhard has surged from a two-way deal into heavy rotation minutes, posting starter-level production and stabilizing the turnover problem. The front office intends to convert his contract to a standard deal at the earliest allowable roster window in January, which may require a corresponding move.

Dallas still needs shot creation in crunch time, but the immediate gains—more pace-to-pass balance and cleaner entry actions—are tangible. The next step is stacking wins to climb out of an early-season hole while they await full health.

Tonight/tomorrow check: monitor the injury report by late afternoon local time; expect game-time decisions across the guard line as the club works around minutes restrictions.

Rangers: second base competition widens after Semien trade

With Marcus Semien moved, second base is officially an open competition for spring. Internal candidates headline the early board—versatile infielders and upper-level prospects who can defend multiple spots—while the club keeps optionality for a modest external addition if value materializes. The calculus: protect payroll flexibility for pitching while trusting development to fill a single position player hole on a roster that otherwise returns star power.

Key variables: who claims everyday reps before mid-March, and whether the bat-to-ball profile at second complements the heart of the order.

FC Dallas and the 2026 World Cup in Arlington: countdown accelerates

With the draw set and venue plans crystallizing, North Texas organizers emphasized readiness for five World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium next summer. Training-site logistics, fan-mobility plans, and match-day activations are moving into detailed execution. For local fans, expect ticketing waves and volunteer registrations to intensify after the New Year.

At club level, FC Dallas closed its season with a clear mandate to chase its first MLS Cup under Eric Quill, leaning into a back-three look that stabilized results down the stretch. Offseason roster moves and schedule release set the tone for a faster start in 2026.

The metroplex at a glance

• Cowboys: Lamb advancing through protocol; Guyton nearing return; playoff math tightens.

• Stars: Point streak at 10 (8-0-2), fueled by late-game composure and depth scoring.

• Mavericks: Guard rotation reshaped; Nembhard’s conversion to a standard deal expected when eligible.

• Rangers: Open battle at 2B after Semien; pitching remains the higher-ticket focus.

• Soccer: World Cup planning ramps; FC Dallas targets a stronger start with a settled tactical identity.

Dallas sports rarely move in lockstep, but today’s through-line is clear: health and depth are the currency of December. If the Cowboys clear key pieces, the Stars keep banking points, the Mavs convert promise into wins, and the Rangers thread their infield decision, the metroplex will barrel into 2026 with momentum on every front.