The Dallas Cowboys (3-5) are on the road this week to face the Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) and both teams need a win to keep pace with the Washington Redskins in the NFC East. The Cowboys are 2-2 against the Eagles over the last two seasons, with each taking a win the last week of the season when both teams were resting players after securing home field advantage in the NFC.
Both teams will be missing starters, but the Dallas Cowboys are certainly ailing a bit more, especially on the defensive side of the football.
Let's take a look at the Cowboys final injury report.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Report
- WR Tavon Austin (groin) – OUT
- LG Connor Williams (knee) – OUT
- LB Joe Thomas (foot) – OUT
- DT David Irving (ankle) – OUT
- LB Sean Lee (hamstring) – OUT
- DE Taco Charlton (shoulder) – OUT
- TE Geoff Swaim (knee) – Questionable
- Randy Gregory (knee) – Questionable
Tavon Austin will be out again this week and the Cowboys made some moves on the wide receiver depth chart this week to try to continue to find a spark with the offense. They brought Noah Brown back from injured reserve and placed him on the active roster. Wide Receiver Lance Lenoir was also promoted from the practice squad. Deonte Thompson was released to make room for the corresponding moves.
The Cowboys are going to be without two starters on the defense with David Irving and Sean Lee sitting out this week. Lee is not a surprise after pulling up in the loss last week to the Tennessee Titans. Taco Charlton, though not a starter, will be out this week after suffering a shoulder injury last week as well. The injuries to the defense will lead to more opportunities to for Maliek Collins, Leighton Vander Esch, and Dorance Armstrong. Randy Gregory looks to be ready to go after getting in limited practices each day this week.
Tight End Geoff Swaim is expected to return after making a limited appearance at Cowboys practice on Friday. He's needed. With Scott Linehan addicted to using a tight end, Geoff Swaim is necessary to the lineup. Blake Jarwin and Rico Gathers are not good enough to run with the first team offense.
Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report
- CB Sidney Jones (hamstring) – OUT
- CB Jalen Mills (foot) – OUT
- RB Darren Sproles (hamstring) – OUT
- RT Lane Johnson (knee) – Questionable
- DE Josh Sweat (hip) – Questionable
The big news on the Philadelphia Eagles injury report is that the Cowboys will be facing their NFC East rival without two of their starting corner backs. Sidney Jones has primarily been playing in the slot for the Eagles and Jalen Mills has played outside.
The Cowboys have struggled this season on offense, but if they're able to control the Eagles front four, especially Defensive Tackle Fletcher Cox, they'll have a chance to make some plays against Philadelphia's secondary.
Some underrated news is that while Running Back Darren Sproles returned to practice this week on a limited basis this week, he isn't quite ready to make his return. Even at his advanced age, Sproles is still a dynamic player that can hurt a defense.
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The Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles both need a victory on Sunday Night Football and both are struggling with injuries to key players. Whichever team is able to overcome or limit the impact of these injuries will be a key factor in the game.
