As we get ready for Sunday's Week 9 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns, here's a quick look at the injury sitatuons for both teams.
The following is based on the teams' Friday practices:
DNP – Did Not Practice
LP – Limited Participant
OUT – Already Ruled Out
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys- QB Tony Romo (back) – OUT
- OT Chaz Green (foot) – OUT
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence
(back/shoulder) – LP - DE Ryan Davis (hamstring) – OUT
- LB Anthony Hitchens (knee) – LP
- CB Morris Claiborne (groin) – OUT
- S Barry Church (forearm) – OUT
The Cowboys have already announced five of their seven inactives for Sunday's game based on these injuries. The other two spots will likely be occupied by rookie RB Darius Jackson and one of the backup linebackers.
Tony Romo and Chaz Green were both able to practice some this week but are not yet ready to play. Romo's return date is still in flux; some are now projecting it won't be until after the Thanksgiving Day game.
On defense, Morris Claiborne and Barry Church both suffered injuries against the Eagles that will keep them out for several weeks. Neither is serious enough to warrant putting them on Injured Reserve. Dallas will count on rookie cornerback Anthony Brown to keep forming well in a big role, as he did during Orlando Scandrick's absence.
At safety, J.J. Wilcox will once again be a starter in place of Church. This could allow rookie Kavon Frazier to get in some work as a reserve player. He has either been a healthy scratch most weeks or hasn't seen the field much when active.
Anthony Hitchens popped up on the report in the middle of the week with a knee issue. He is “questionable” for Sunday, which would likely put veteran Justin Durant in as the starting middle LB. Dallas might also give second-year player Mark Nzeocha, who had a great preseason, some reps if the game allows.
Cleveland Browns
- WR Ricardo Louis (hamstring) – DNP
- OL Cameron Erving (shoulder) – LP
- LB Tank Carder (concussion) – LP
- CB Jamar Taylor (groin) – LP
The big names here for Cleveland are Cameron Erving, their starting center, and starting corner Jamar Taylor.
Erving missed most of the week, only practicing Friday in a limited capacity. He was the 19th-overall pick in the 2015 draft. If he can't play, third-year backup Gabe Ikard would get the start. Ikard joined the Browns just last Monday, having floated around the league since being undrafted in 2014.
Jamar Taylor was traded to the Browns last April during the draft, along with a pick swap. He was originally taken in the second round of the 2013 draft by the Miami Dolphins. He's started every game for Cleveland in 2016 and has two interceptions so far.
Taylor will likely play, having practiced all week on a limited basis. The backup is 33-year-old Tramon Williams, who spent the bulk of his career with the Green Bay Packers.
It's worth nothing that the Cleveland Browns already have 12 players on Injured Reserve this year, a staggering number. Comparatively, the Cowboys only have three.
