The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders will face off in the final week of the regular season for the third time in the last five years.
The final game of the regular season in the past couple of years has been meaningless for both teams.
However, this time a loss could be the difference between the 2nd seed and a guarantee of two home playoff games and the 5th seed and playing the postseason on the road.
The Commanders currently hold the number two pick in the draft, and their injury report could be an indication of whether or not they will be competitive this Sunday.
Each team has had some key players sit out practice this week, but here are the final game designations.
The best scenario for all players on this report is for the Cowboys to jump out to a huge lead so they can get some rest and nurse their injuries.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys officially list 11 players on their final Week 18 injury report
Questionable
DE Dorance Armstrong (ankle), C Tyler Biadasz (illness), DE Chauncey Golston (illness), DT Johnathan Hankins (knee/ankle), S Malik Hooker (ankle/illness), G Tyler Smith (foot), S Juanyeh Thomas (illness)
It appears another illness is making its way through the Cowboys locker room.
Tyler Biadasz, Chauncey Golston, Malik Hooker, and Juanyeh Thomas are all sick but are hopeful to contribute this Sunday.
New to the injury report this week is Dorance Armstrong, listed with an ankle injury.
He will give it a go versus Washington.
One of the biggest (literally) players the Cowboys have been hoping to get back onto the field is Johnathan Hankins.
His absence was immediately felt after the Buffalo Bills ran roughshod on the Dallas defense.
Since then, the run defense has vastly improved versus two top-five rushing offenses (Miami and Detroit) and Hankins coming back can only help.
The other key player that could miss the game is Tyler Smith.
He tore his plantar fascia last week in the victory over Detroit, but the absence of Commanders’ DT Jonathan Allen may prompt Dallas to rest the second-year guard.
No Designation
RB Rico Dowdle (ankle), T Chuma Edoga (illness), DE Viliami Fehoko (knee), RB Hunter Luepke (thigh)
The illness mentioned above is also hampering reserve offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, but he should be ready to contribute if needed.
Rico Dowdle has been dealing with an ankle issue for over a month that doesn’t appear to be rehabbing as quickly as he would like.
After missing the win over the Lions last week, Dowdle is back in the lineup this weekend.
Rookie DE Viliami Fehoko has been activated from injured reserve, and it will be interesting to see if he makes the gameday roster.
Lead blocker Hunter Luepke has a thigh injury, but that won’t stop him from suiting up against Washington.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders officially list 12 players on their final injury report.
Out
DT Jonathan Allen (knee), CB Kendall Fuller (knee), CB Christian Holmes (concussion), Tariq Castro-Fields (shoulder)
Former first-round DT Jonathan Allen has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Kendall Fuller, Christian Holmes, and Tariq Castro-Fields have all been placed on injured reserve.
Questionable
S Kam Curl (quad), DE Casey Toohill (shoulder), RT Andrew Wylie (elbow)
Kam Curl, Casey Toohill, and Andrew Wylie are all questionable for Sunday’s game.
The key piece to this puzzle is that they all did not practice all week long.
Don’t be surprised if they are ruled out at game time.
No Designation
WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring), QB Jacoby Brissett (hamstring), DB Quan Martin (chest), DT John Ridgeway (foot), CB Benjamin St.-Juste (concussion)
Commanders’ HC Ron Rivera has already stated Sam Howell will get the start on Sunday but Jacoby Brissett will be ready if needed.
Dynamic WR Curtis Samuel, who was the first receiver to hit the century mark versus the Dallas defense earlier this season, should also play.
Reserve defensive players Quan Martin, John Ridgeway, and Benjamin St.-Juste practiced in full and will be available on Sunday.