The Dallas Cowboys hope their Week 4 injury report isn’t as bad as it was in Week 3 when they were missing three of their starting offensive linemen.
Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and Zack Martin were all ruled out of the game in Arizona mere hours before kickoff last Sunday.
This week’s injury report is more optimistic.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys officially listed eight players during the week on their injury report for Week 4.
Out
OT Tyron Smith (knee)
This is not too much of a surprise considering Tyron Smith did not participate in practice all week long.
The issue with his knee arose last Saturday, less than 24 hours prior to kickoff in Arizona.
No Designation
WR CeeDee Lamb (rest), RB Tony Pollard (rest), DeMarcus Lawrence (rest), OL Chuma Edoga (elbow)
At first, Cowboys Nation was in a panic at seeing CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard, and DeMarcus Lawrence on the injury report Wednesday.
To our relief, glancing over to the right on the injury report showed they were only listed for a rest/veteran day.
Their status is not in doubt against New England, and we can expect to see them at full strength on Sunday.
OL Chuma Edoga, limited in practice all week, was listed as a full participant Friday, and now carries no designation heading into Sunday.
With Tyron already ruled OUT, it appeared Edoga would be in line for his second straight start at left tackle.
However, reports out of Dallas are that rookie 5th round pick LT Asim Richards could actually be the go-to player to replace Tyron this week.
Questionable
RG Zack Martin (ankle), C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring), TE Peyton Hendershot (ankle)
Zack Martin was a surprise scratch from the gameday roster last week.
He was limited in practice all of last week, but optimism was high for him to play in Arizona.
The Cowboys medical staff felt differently on Sunday, however, and Martin was on the sideline in street clothes.
Our optimism this week may be warranted, as HC Mike McCarthy expressed that Martin will ramp up and hope to play.
Tyler Biadasz is also hopeful to play.
From McCarthy’s mouth to God’s ears on Friday, “(Martin and Biadasz) have one more threshold (to clear)”.
Week 3 starter at center, Brock Hoffman, has already reached the max allowance of call ups from the practice squad, and will have to sign to the 53 man roster to play.
The signing of former 1st round C Billy Price to the practice squad coupled with the waiving of LB Devin Harper from the 53 man roster hint to this strategy.
Like last week, Dallas has yet another surprise add to the injury report.
TE Peyton Hendershot popped up with an ankle injury, but there are no details as of yet.
New England Patriots
The Patriots injury report isn’t as long as Dallas’, but they have serious concerns at the interior of both offensive and defensive lines.
Out
DT Daniel Ekuale (biceps, moved to IR)
Daniel Ekuale is a 5th year player who has seen 28% of the snaps in Belichick’s defensive rotation. He has been placed on IR.
No Designation
OL Sidy Sow (concussion)
Depth piece G Sidy Sow was last reported to be in concussion protocol, and would need to work through that to be available for the game.
Officially, he was a non-participant in Friday’s practice, and is showing no game designation, but no word has been sent whether he is cleared or not.
Questionable
DT Christian Barmore (knee), DT Davon Godchaux (ankle), DB Jonathan Jones (ankle), G Sidy Sow (concussion), G Cole Strange (knee), DB Shaun Wade
DT Christian Barmore is a key piece in Belichick’s defense.
A former 2nd round pick from Alabama, Barmore has the rare combination of strength and quickness coveted at the nose tackle position.
Another injury to the interior of the defensive line may force Belichick to be creative, as fellow DT Davon Godchaux is dealing with an ankle injury.
That means the top three nose tackles on the Patriots depth chart are on this injury report.
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, starting DB Jonathan Jones is also dealing with a hurt ankle.
Should he not be able to play, that would thrust veteran DB Jalen Mills into the starting lineup.
Add another defensive back to the report, as third string CB Shaun Wade popped up on Friday with a shoulder injury.
On the offensive side, the Patriots are experiencing health issues on the interior line as well.
Starting LG Cole Strange was limited in practice all week with a knee problem, and may not be able to go Sunday.