The Dallas-Washington rivalry always brings an emotional cache when the two teams meet on the field, but in 2021 it’s also fairly relevant to the rest of the NFC with both currently qualifying for playoff spots. As we await tomorrow’s big game, here’s a look at the final Week 14 injury reports for both teams.
Dallas Cowboys
- WR Noah Brown (groin) – OUT
- RB Tony Pollard (foot) – Questionable
Getting a 10-day break since their last game in New Orleans, the Cowboys will head to the nation’s capital arguably the healthiest they’ve been all season. Not only is the injury report shorter than usual, but Dallas looks forward to getting DE Randy Gregory and DT Neville Gallimore back from injured reserve as well.
It’s hard to imagine Tony Pollard playing with a partially torn plantar fascia, having missed practice all week, but the team hasn’t ruled him out just yet. Hopefully the extra rest has allowed Ezekiel Elliott to progress on some nagging injuries and get back to his early-season form. The addition of veteran RB Ito Smith to the practice squad suggests Dallas is prepared to be without one of their top backs.
Losing Noah Brown hurts on special teams and some offensive packages where his blocking skills are utilized. Thankfully, the rest of the WR group is ready to go and backup Malik Turner has proven he can be effective when called upon.
Washington Football Team
- G Wes Schweltzer (ankle) – OUT
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk (hamstring) – OUT
- RB J.D. McKissic (concussion) – Questionable
- WR Curtis Samuel (groin) – Questionable
- LB Jamin Davis (concussion) – Questionable
- S Landon Collins (foot) – Questionable
It’s a tougher time medically for Washington. They have some starters banged up and a few more who’ve just gone on reserve lists.
Starting TE Logan Thomas suffered a knee injury last Sunday against the Raiders and will be out for at least three games on injured reserve. That knocks him out of three critical NFC East matchups; both games with the Cowboys and the away game against the Eagles.
Another key starter, DE Montez Sweat, will be out tomorrow after landing on the COVID-19 list. Coupled with the loss of Chase Young earlier this year, Washington’s pass rush is far from what it could be and makes for a poor matchup with Dallas’ offensive line finally coming back together.
As for their weekly report, the two official “OUT” players are both backups. Washington can suffer those losses so long as starters like Curtis Samuel, Jamin Davis, and Landon Collins are available.
While not officially a starter, J.D. McKissic is an important offensive piece and the type of back that Dallas has historically struggled against. All four “Questionable” players have been practicing the last few days and are expected go on Sunday.
