• When Panthers offensive lineman Jordan Gross (Fruitland High) takes the field Sunday against the Cowboys, he will tie former wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and ex-safety Mike Minter with 141 career starts, the most in Carolina’s 18-year history.

Gross started 84 consecutive games during his first five-plus seasons before suffering a concussion against Atlanta in 2008. He sat out the following week, missing a chance to go after Minter’s record of 91 consecutive starts.

“But it was probably (good for) the brain to not have that record,” Gross told the Charlotte Observer.

Gross has missed just nine games over the past decade.

“I’ve been so lucky to be here, good, bad and ugly. I loved every minute of it,” he said.

• Lions wide receiver Titus Young (Boise State) has 11 catches in five games.

Young dropped what could have been a touchdown pass last week. He has had trouble at times getting off the line and creating separation from the defender. And he still has some communication issues, either with the play call or the changes quarterback Matthew Stafford makes at the line of scrimmage.

But one of the top receivers in the NFL said Young still has time to turn his season around.

“He’s starting to practice more and practice faster and that’s what he needs,” teammate Calvin Johnson told The Detroit News. “He needs to start earning Matt's trust. We tell him that’s the biggest thing; during the week you have to earn your quarterback's trust.”

• Cowboys defensive lineman Sean Lissemore is expected to be out a few weeks with a high ankle sprain. That will likely mean more playing time for rookie Tyrone Crawford (Boise State). Bryan Broaddus, an analyst for DallasCowboys.com, wrote this about Lissemore’s injury: “On the positive side, you will see Crawford get more of an opportunity to not only play in some base stuff but inside on the nickel.”

• Wild stat of the week: No Cowboys defensive back has intercepted a pass since Orlando Scandrick (Boise State), 11 games ago against Washington.

• Rams wide receiver Austin Pettis (Boise State) started last Sunday in place of Danny Amendola, who is injured. But Pettis was targeted just three times as he caught one pass for 11 yards against the Dolphins.

Compiled by Chris Langrill