Dallas Cowboys open AT&T Stadium retractable roof for MNF weeks after sheet metal mishap

For the first time in over two years, the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) will play a game inside AT&T Stadium with the retractable roof open.

The roof will be opened for Monday night’s Week 14 home contest against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8), Jon Machota of The Athletic revealed on social media hours before kickoff.

Sunny, 69 degrees in Arlington, TX

Roof open for Monday Night Football: Cowboys vs. Bengals pic.twitter.com/1YCZld0Hvl

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 9, 2024

AT&T Stadium is one of five NFL stadiums with a retractable roof. Yet, it hasn’t been open for a Cowboys game since Oct. 30, 2022, a day game against the Chicago Bears (4-9). That was supposed to change when Dallas played on Monday Night Football in Week 11 versus the Houston Texans (8-5). But as the Cowboys were in the process of opening the roof about three hours before kickoff, a piece of sheet metal and some additional small debris fell onto the field. No one was injured.

Cowboys going roof open for Week 14 vs. Bengals

While assessing the situation, another piece of loose metal was seen stuck in a catwalk. It had to be bolted down before the game and the Cowboys decided to play with the roof closed. Team owner Jerry Jones said the wind gusts that started early afternoon in Arlington and got stronger throughout the day played a role in the piece of sheet metal falling.

The Cowboys are 12-11 in their 16 years at AT&T Stadium when the roof and retractable end zone doors are open. They are 2-5 all time with the roof open and doors closed.

Dallas is looking for its third consecutive win after a 3-7 start to the season.