Potentially serious Injuries threaten to derail Dallas Cowboys
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys train is rolling along at breakneck speed but a couple potentially serious injuries threaten to derail them
The Dallas Cowboys once again won in convincing fashion on Sunday, this time taking down the rival Washington Redskins. Taking full advantage of the easy leg of their first place schedule, the Cowboys new-look offense under Kellen Moore is keeping the pedal to the metal as they roll through the opposition.
But glossed over in the big win was a couple potentially serious injuries to key starters on both sides of the ball. WR Michael Gallup and DT Antwaun Woods both left Sunday’s action with apparent knee injuries. If they miss time, it could legitimately impact how Dallas plays going forward.
Antwaun Woods
Most of us saw Antwaun Woods go down on Sunday. After fellow interior lineman Maliek Collins rolled up on Woods’ leg, Woods needed assistance just getting off the field. Reports are this is a sprained MCL and Woods will likely miss time.
Nose tackle Antwaun Woods has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and will undergo more testing on Monday to determine the severity. He did not return after getting hurt in the first half with Christian Covington taking over nose... https://t.co/SbwpQgC3hm
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 16, 2019
While Woods isn’t considered a top playmaker, he’s still a key starter who’s the backbone of the Cowboys run defense. Replacing Woods is free agent pick-up Christian Covington. In week one, Woods and Covington split snaps fairly evenly. But it was Covington who garnered the better grade for his play, ranking 25th in Pro football Focus’ DT rankings (with Woods ranked 48th).
Covington will be more than capable of starting at 1-tech while Woods recovers, but depth must be found to rotate behind him and keep the unit fresh.
Michael Gallup
Flying under the injury radar yesterday was Michael Gallup. It’s unknown exactly which play ended Gallup’s day but the injury was bad enough to keep him off the field and serious enough to warrant an MRI as well.
Adding to the injury list this evening is WR Michael Gallup needs a MRI on his knee a source says.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) September 16, 2019
There’s more optimism with Gallup than there is with Woods and with any luck Gallup won’t miss any time. That’s a good thing too, since Gallup is the Dallas Cowboys most targeted receiver this season (15 targets) and was in the midst of a Year 2 breakout season.
Gallup’s big play ability elevates the Dallas Cowboys offense significantly and even with Devin Smith on hand to pick up the slack, the loss would be significant.
Devin Smith was excited to get in the end zone Sunday. His 51-yard touchdown catch was more than just the second score of his career. It represented how far he has come since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee twice and... https://t.co/Nh5eQ1wGpI
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) September 15, 2019
It’s also worth pointing out, through the first week, Gallup was PFF’s second ranked WR in the entire NFL. Small sample size to be sure, but anyone who’s been watching the kid play knows he’s playing at a very elite level right now.
How Dak and Kellen are about to steamroll the NFL. dark. Next
We should hear more within the next 24 hours about the severity and timetable we’re dealing with, but no knee injury can be taken lightly, especially to two young starters like Gallup and Woods.
- Published on 09/16/2019 at 12:55 PM
- Last updated at 09/16/2019 at 12:59 PM