The Dallas Cowboys are hoping to start stringing some wins together as they host the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. Here's a look at both teams injury reports heading into their Week 6 matchup.
For the Cowboys, the report only tells part of the story this week.
Dallas Cowboys
- No players reported.
This is a pretty rare sight around here, especially in 2020, but the Cowboys currently have no players on their 53-man roster with an injury designation for Week 6.
The biggest injury news for the Cowboys happened away from their official report this week. Of course, QB Dak Prescott was placed on injured reserve following his season-ending ankle fracture. But there was also some good news as LB Leighton Vander Esch returned to practice and is expected to play against Arizona.
Other players who've been dealing with nagging issues such as CB Trevon Diggs and DE DeMarcus Lawrence were full participants this week. Nobody who isn't already on injured reserve is expected to miss Monday's game due to health concerns.
The Cowboys still have big absences to overcome; Prescott, Tyron Smith, La'el Collins, Sean Lee, and Chidobe Awuzie. They hope to get Awuzie back soon and perhaps Lee in a few more weeks, but the rest of this season may be defined by how well Dallas copes with the loss of their starting QB and some of his primary protectors up front.
Arizona Cardinals
- OL J.R. Sweezy (elbow) – OUT
- DL Rashard Lawrence (calf) – OUT
- LB Kyle Fitts (hamstring) – OUT
- OL D.J. Humphries (back) – Questionable
- LB Dennis Gardeck (foot) – Questionable
- LB Devon Kennard (calf) – Questionable
The only starter officially out for Monday night is veteran guard J.R. Sweezy, who typically plays RG for the Cardinals. That should put versatile backup Justin Murray back into the starting lineup, where he served for 12 games last season in Arizona.
Left Tackle D.J. Humphries is now dealing with a back injury that wasn't reported until Saturday's practice. If he joins Sweezy in missing the game then that's a huge boon for the struggling Cowboys defense. It could be a big night for DeMarcus Lawrence and Aldon Smith if they get to face rookie Josh Jones.
Arizona's other listed injured players are all defensive backups. Their absences may impact special teams or come into play when a starter goes down, but otherwise they're not significant to Monday's game.
