The Dallas Cowboys can clinch the NFC East tomorrow with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thankfully, they should be getting back one of their top players for this important game.
Here are the final injury reports for both teams, as well as some updates since these were released.
Dallas Cowboys
- TE Geoff Swaim (wrist) – OUT
- DL David Irving (ankle) – OUT
- WR Tavon Austin (groin) – Questionable
- OT Tyron Smith (neck) – Questionable
- G Zack Martin (knee) – Questionable
- LB Sean Lee (hamstring) – Questionable
- CB Anthony Brown (hand) – Questionable
Zack Martin is expected to return after missing last week’s game, hopefully boosting the offense to a better performance than the shutout loss in Indianapolis. It’s not yet confirmed if Connor Williams will move back into the starting role at left guard, or if Xavier Su’a-Filo will retain the job.
News just came today that Dallas will be placing Geoff Swaim on injured reserve. We’ve seen Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz get more involved in the passing game lately, so Dallas will now be leaning on them the rest of the way.
Nickel CB Anthony Brown suffered a hand injury in practice and is not looking good to play tomorrow, having missed Friday’s practice. That would move Jourdan Lewis into a larger role for Sunday and leave Dallas with just three cornerbacks on the roster.
While listed as questionable, expect both Tyron Smith and Sean Lee to play. Tavon Austin was held out last week and we can’t be sure about his activity now, though he should be healthy enough to go.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- WR DeSean Jackson (thumb) – Questionable
The only player on Tampa’s injury report is veteran receiver, and longtime Cowboys nemesis, DeSean Jackson. He was a full participant in the last two practices and should resume his starting duties on Sunday.
While the injury report is light, Tampa’s suffered some roster losses throughout the year. Defensive starters like LB Kwon Alexander, CB Vernon Hargreaves, and S Justin Evans are all on IR. Starting TE O.J. Howard is also out for the year.
With Hargreaves and Howard out, that’s two of the Bucs’ last three first-round picks missing. It helps explain Tampa’s overall struggles this year, coming into the game with a 5-9 record.
Hopefully, the Cowboys can take advantage and come away as NFC East Champions.
