Dallas Cowboys IR Update: 4 players to return, expected dates, and impact

Dallas Cowboys IR Update

Josh Ball, OT

Expected Role: developmental swing tackle

The Dallas Cowboys entered training camp with the expectation Ty Nsekhe would be the primary swing tackle, and Terence Steele would be the back-up behind him. Ball was just the long-term project with a sky high ceiling.

As it played out, Nsekhe was hospitalized and likely completely out of the picture and Steele is the new swing tackle.

Josh Ball suffered what appeared to be a high ankle sprain early in camp. Fans and media saw little to nothing of the young tackle but reports are the Cowboys are quite high on his potential. Having missed almost all of camp, Ball will take time to ease into action. He’s going to need a ton of practice time before he can be seen as a viable option on the field as the OT4 behind Steele.

Now that the first three weeks are over, the Dallas Cowboys can return any of these players to practice. But doing so starts a 21-day clock on their roster status. For Ball that means the Cowboys probably don’t want to start his clock until La’el Collins’ return is well within sight. They don’t want to have to play Ball this season if they don’t have to.

All of these players have the potential to play pretty big roles both now and in the future. Dallas is already starting their third OT so Ball isn’t that far out of the picture. Dallas has an opening at CB2 they hope Joseph can claim. They have a genuine need on their defensive interior for Gallimore. And they could really use a blocking specialist at TE this year making Sean McKeon a bigger piece than many give him credit for.

Some big moves are coming and as long as the Dallas Cowboys don’t add new players to their injury list, we could see a rush of talent return to the field in the next few weeks. Just don’t expect it weeks four or five.