As the Dallas Cowboys look to sweep their NFC East rivals the New York Giants, they’re a team that looks as healthy as they’ve been all season. Though they’ve had as many as ten players on the injury report throughout the week, only three carry injury designations into Monday’s showdown with the Giants.
The Cowboys have an opportunity to go two games above .500 and depending on how things go for Philadelphia when they play the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Cowboys could increase their lead in the win column.
Let’s take a look at the final injury report as the Dallas Cowboys get ready to play the Giants.
Dallas Cowboys
- DE Dorance Armstrong (neck) – No Injury Designation
- CB Anthony Brown (hamstring) – Questionable
- OT La’el Collins (knee) – No Injury Designation
- WR Amari Cooper (ankle) – No Injury Designation
- OT Cameron Fleming (calf) – OUT
- WR Michael Gallup (knee) – No Injury Designation
- G Zack Martin (back/ankle) – No Injury Designation
- DE Robert Quinn (Rib) – No Injury Designation
- OT Tyron Smith (ankle) – No Injury Designation
- LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) – QUESTIONABLE
Though the Dallas Cowboys have 10 players on the injury report heading into Monday night’s clash with the New York Giants, they should have all of their starters and primary role players available. They’re the healthiest they’ve been since before training camp.
On the offensive side of the ball, Wide Receiver Amari Cooper was able to get in a full practice for the first time in several weeks after being limited by foot, ankle, and quad injuries since the start of the regular season. Fellow Wide Receiver Michael Gallup also participated in full this week as he’s been coming back from a knee injury suffered in the Washington Redskins game.
Three offensive linemen were limited during parts of the practice week as Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and La’el Collins have been dealing with various injuries. All signs point to them playing on Monday night, which means the Cowboys will suit up all five starting offensive linemen for the second week in a row. If you recall, Tyron Smith sat out the Green Bay Packers game and both Smith and Collins sat out the New York Jets game. Getting them back on the field against Philadelphia in week seven was huge for the offense.
The only other offensive position player of note is Cameron Fleming who hasn’t practiced this week as he’s been dealing with a strained calf. If he’s unable to go, it would put Brandon Knight in line to be the backup offensive tackle if one of the two starters were forced to miss time on Monday Night Football.
Anthony Brown is questionable and unlikely to be back this week after sitting out the Eagles game. Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the Jourdan Lewis is expected to retain his role regardless of Anthony Brown’s availability.
Robert Quinn practiced in full this week after he was forced to exit the Eagles game with a rib injury. This will be his first shot at the New York Giants this season after sitting out the first two games of the season due to suspension. Quinn looks to add to his team-leading six sacks.
Another defensive end that looks like he’ll be ready to go this week is Dorance Armstrong after practicing fully this week. It was speculated that Armstrong could land on IR, so seeing him back at practice is a good surprise for the Cowboys.
Another casualty of the Philadelphia Eagles game was Leighton Vander Esch, who suffered a neck injury on a tackle attempt. He felt like he could have finished the game but with the Cowboys up big, they held him out more for precautionary reasons. Unfortunately, Vander Esch won’t be available for this week as he’s still dealing with his neck issue. That means we’ll see more Sean Lee and Joe Thomas filling in at the weakside linebacker spot.
New York Giants
- CB Corey Ballentine (concussion) – No Injury Designation
- CB Grant Haley (knee) – No Injury Designation
- WR Sterling Shepard (concussion) – No Injury Designation
There isn’t much to see on the New York Giants side of the injury report with only three players listed and each of them practicing in full this week.
The big news for the Giants is getting back Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard after sitting out the last three weeks with a concussion. On a team that doesn’t have a ton of talent on the outside, having Shepard available for rookie Quarterback Daniel Jones will help the Giants offense immensely. Shepard’s averaging 6.3 receptions on 8.5 targets for 66.8 yards receiving per game.
