In contrast to their recent record of relatively good luck, the Dallas Cowboys had an abnormally lengthy injury report this week. Of course, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and offensive lineman Tyler Smith are the main players, but there are other players who are currently experiencing health problems.
Despite not having practiced this week, Smith—who tore his plantar fascia in the third quarter of the team’s victory over the Detroit Lions—is listed as questionable for the Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Hankins, who had a high ankle sprain in December and missed multiple games, is also questionable. This week marks Hankins’ first practice back following the injury.
They both have a chance of taking the field in the all-important regular season finale.
Regarding the defensive side of things, Dorance Armstrong, a fellow member of Hankins’ defensive line, suffered an ankle injury at the beginning of the week that prevented him from practicing on Thursday but did not prevent him from playing on Wednesday and Friday.
He, too, is listed as questionable.
Running back Rico Dowdle, who had been playing through a high ankle sprain for weeks before eventually being sidelined for rest and recovery ahead of the playoffs, is one player who is guaranteed to return. Dowdle claims that since making the choice last week, he feels much better.
However, the seasonal illness is still circulating around the Dallas locker room. This week, Malik Hooker, Juanyeh Thomas, Chuma Edoga, and starting center Tyler Biadasz have all been infected.
Even though they are all classified as questionable rather than doubtful, it’s still important to keep a watch on them, especially Biadasz, who was most recently reported to the injury report on Friday as a DNP (did not participate) while the other three players made a limited return to practice.
The Cowboys’ offensive line has been playing musical chairs this season, and they will definitely need Biadasz available for what they consider to be “a must-win” game since they have the potential to capture both the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff bracket.
The Cowboys had seven players on their injury report this week, but none are classified as probable, and they haven’t ruled any players out until their final walkthrough on Saturday.
This implies that when they take the field in what has turned into the most significant game of their regular season—one that will probably determine how far they might go in the playoffs—they’ll be either mostly or at full strength, IR residents notwithstanding.
