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Dak Prescott, Cowboys Suffer Loss Before Raiders Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 4:35 PM ET

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys looked to end their two-game skid in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season, hitting the road to face Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders on "Monday Night Football." The Cowboys are coming off two ugly losses before their Week 10 bye, including the Denver Broncos and the Kyler Murray-less Arizona Cardinals.

While Prescott has led Dallas to the third-best offense in the NFL, averaging 378.4 yards per game, the defense has been on the opposite end of the spectrum. During their week off, the Cowboys brought in major reinforcements, including linebackers DeMarvion Overshown and Logan Wilson and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Yet despite the additions, the Cowboys entered Monday’s game down another player.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms up before the "Monday Night Football"© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Ajani Cornelius, who spent two seasons at Oregon, was selected by Dallas in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The rookie offensive tackle has taken snaps on special teams and given the Cowboys depth amid numerous early-season injuries along the offensive line, including a game in which Prescott was missing four starters.

Since Week 8, however, Cornelius had been limited in practice with injuries to both knees, leaving him questionable each week. Ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Raiders, the Cowboys placed him on injured reserve, sidelining the rookie for at least the next four games.

"The #Cowboys in advance of MNF vs Raiders placed T Ajani Cornelius on Reserve/Injured," WFAA's Ed Werder wrote on X. "The team also activated S Malik Hooker from Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return and elevated RB Malik Davis from the practice squad."

The #Cowboys in advance of MNF vs Raiders placed T Ajani Cornelius on Reserve/Injured. The team also activated S Malik Hooker from Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return and elevated RB Malik Davis from the practice squad.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) November 17, 2025

Following the Raiders matchup, Prescott and the Cowboys will be back in action in Week 12, returning to Arlington to host the Philadelphia Eagles. But the soonest Cornelius can return will be in Week 15 when Dallas faces the Minnesota Vikings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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