The TE's repeat ACL tear is the latest hurdle for the Cowboys

FRISCO, Texas — A lot has happened to the Dallas Cowboys, and they haven't played since their 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 13.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones threatened the jobs of the hosts at 105.3 The Fan. Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman told 1310 The Dallas Ticket that Cowboys receivers run “terrible” routes. This week, Jones questions The Fan's plays and ideas. Quarterback Dak Prescott is engaged. Kicker Brandon Aubrey was selected for jury duty and will miss practice. And tight end John Stephens Jr. suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the second straight year.

Oh, and the 3-3 Cowboys have a critical game at the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

“I think it's part of our art,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “In my opinion, injuries are obviously the worst part of this game. So yeah, other things that happen in a person's personal life, it's a part of life. It never stops. I think the most important thing is to be there, make sure that the strength and Stay focused and everything and at the end of the day it's about winning against San Francisco, yeah, those things sometimes more than others.”

Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons is trending toward missing his third game with a high left ankle sprain as he continues to work with the rehab team in practice.

“There's always a threshold to get back to playing. He hasn't crossed that threshold yet. As long as he can get out there and shake it off,” McCarthy said. “… I think when you have experienced players, General [rule] If they don't practice on Saturday, they're not going to play in the game. So, if you're looking for a finish line, it will be the players fully-participating in practice on Saturday. Obviously, we want him to get in the pads first on Thursday, but Mika has played a lot of football for us, he has a high opinion of our defense.”

Pro Bowl cornerback Darron Bland will return to practice Wednesday after working on the sideline. He did not play this season after undergoing foot surgery in August.

Aubrey will kick after his jury duty service for the day, along with long snapper Trent Sieg and punter/holder Brian Anger. He will not miss Sunday's game, and the team's charter flight from San Francisco will return Monday morning if the lawsuit resumes next week.

“Hey, when you think you've seen it all in this place,” McCarthy said, “you've got something else to do.”

The most disappointing news for McCarthy is Stephens' injury. He suffered the same injury in a preseason game last year as he made a case for a spot on the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent.

Although he has yet to play in a game this season, the Cowboys were bullish on his potential.

“I think to a person you can feel the energy drain from practice at that point,” McCarthy said. “So enough can't be said about him. You're talking about a young man with a very bright future, and it's another setback unfortunately. But the job he's done. I mean, he's been here every day, done what was asked. About him , and honestly, we were trying to give him more work, since the bye week we were trying to get him more involved so yeah, very unfortunate. [Wednesday]”