Dallas Cowboys: Injury Issues

The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a couple of injuries much like the Atlanta Falcons. Which Dallas Cowboys will be available for Sunday’s game?

The Dallas Cowboys have a big game coming up this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. Injuries, however, have played a bigger storyline than usual as both teams have seen key players get banged up over the course of the last few weeks.

The Falcons may have been hit harder than the Dallas Cowboys but both franchises could see some key absences on Sunday. Here is a look at some of the players who have made the injury report for both teams in Week Ten.

The Dallas Cowboys have gotten fairly lucky with injuries this season. Aside from rookie cornerback Chidobe Awzuie missing an extended period of time with a hamstring injury plus a few other similar injuries, the Dallas Cowboys have been fairly healthy during the 2017 regular season.

It appears that some players have a bit more wear and tear than others at this point in the NFL season and that is when quality depth is needed. Luckily for the Cowboys, Awuzie has returned to the practice field and is in line to play this weekend.

His return would be a significant boost for a unit that has struggled at times to stay healthy. Dallas Cowboys starting left guard, Tyron Smith, could potentially miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons due to several injuries.

Smith has been suffering from a back injury for the last two seasons, however, has managed it to the point where he can play consistently. He also suffered a hip sprain prior to the Dallas Cowboys Week Nine contest but still managed to stay on the field.

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His latest injury is a groin issue suffered during the Cowboys Week Nine victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith always takes Wednesday as a rest day so there may not be that much alarm here, but he is the most important offensive lineman the team has.

Smith should get back to practice on Friday or Saturday and could potentially be limited on Thursday. If Smith were to miss any time, backup Charles Green would likely start at left tackle.

Smith is not the only key veteran to be banged up during last Sunday’s victory. Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver, Dez Bryant had to miss the rest of Sunday’s contest thanks too a knee and ankle injury.

The injuries are thought to be mild with Bryant likely to be in the starting lineup on Sunday, however, is absence at practice was notable. While it is likely thought Bryant is dealing with a knee bruise the Dallas Cowboys could have two wide receivers in danger of missing some action against the Falcons.

Terrance Williams has also been dealing with an ankle injury that he has had for most of the season. Williams is in better shape than Bryant at this stage in the week but those are two receivers the Cowboys need to be in the lineup.

Bryant will likely get some limited work in on Thursday but should eventually get back into practice prior to the game.  The Cowboys will also miss the most accurate kicker in the NFL, Dan Bailey for another week, however, fill in free agent, Mike Nugent, has been fairly reliable so far in his time in Big D. Expect Dallas to rest Bailey until he is 100 percent.

As for the Falcons, they have some issues on the injury front that may not go away so easily. They could also be down their starting kicker as they gear up to face the Dallas Cowboys.

Matt Bryant has been the best kicker the Falcons have had in recent memory, a recent leg injury has a chance to sideline him this week. The injury happened during the Falcons competitive contest against the Carolina Panthers and affected their offensive strategy on the field.

Bryant being out could mean that the Falcons look to take more chances on third and fourth down. He is not the only starter hurting for the Falcons. Star wide receiver Julio Jones suffered a leg injury against the Panthers that left him looking a lot less than 100 percent.

Jones infamously dropped a sure touchdown in the end zone after Falcons quarterback, Matt Ryan put a little to much force into the toss. Jones was at walkthroughs for the Falcons on Wednesday, however, did not participate in practice.

This could merely be a pain management issue that he could be dealing with but we will likely know more about the situation as the week goes on. The biggest red flag for the Falcons this week may be the availability of star running back, Devonta Freeman who is suffering from a multitude of injuries. If Jones cannot face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday that will be a big blow the Falcons offense. 

Freeman apparently has been dealing with a knee injury for the last two weeks but he also managed to injure his shoulder during the Panthers game. Those are two pretty crucial regions for running backs so Freeman could be out of this contest if he has a setback in the upcoming days.

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Freeman was limited in practice so he could very well be on the field against the Dallas Cowboys. If he misses the game, Tevin Coleman would see an increased workload. Three other players got the limited tag in practice for the Falcons as cornerback, Desmond Trufant, first-round selection, Takkarist Mckinley, and defensive tackle, Grady Jarrett are all battling injuries.

Trufant’s is seemingly the most serious since Atlanta worked out former Dan Quinn protege, Byron Maxwell. One thing is certain as Sunday’s contest moves closer, injuries will be the talk of the town in both Atlanta and Dallas.