The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams are just hours away from kickoff in their 2018 playoff game. To help get you ready, here’s a review of the teams’ final injury reports for the week.
Unfortunately, the reports favor the home team. While the visiting Cowboys could be missing some key offensive pieces, the Rams’ are looking health coming off their bye week. They are especially glad to be getting back their offensive MVP.
Dallas Cowboys
- DL David Irving (ankle) – OUT
- WR Cole Beasley (ankle) – Questionable
- TE Blake Jarwin (ankle) – Questionable
- G Xavier Su’a-Filo (ankle) – Questionable
- DT Maliek Collins (illness/ankle) – Questionable
- S Darian Thompson (groin) – Questionable
If only Thompson could’ve hurt his ankle instead. We might have set a new record for injury reports.
The big news here is with Beasley, who missed the entire week of practice but has not been ruled out yet. Dallas remains hopeful that their veteran slot receiver can go today and have made him a game-time decision.
The same goes for Jarwin, who had three catches against Seattle coming off his breakout, three-touchdown day in Week 17. If Blake can’t go, it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys divide playing time between Rico Gathers and Dalton Schultz.
Guard Xavier Su’a-Filo is also questionable tonight, but it sounds like he won’t be starting one way or the other. Connor Williams is expected to stay with the first team regardless of Xavier’s status.
After a big game last week, Maliek Collins should play tonight despite the injury. He and Antwaun Woods were difference-makers against Seattle and Dallas will need even more disruptive plays from them to stifle the Rams’ offense.
Los Angeles Rams
- DL Ethan Westbrooks (thigh) – Questionable
The only player listed on the final report is a backup defensive lineman, so the Rams have that going for them.
RB Todd Gurley’s return is the biggest news here. He sat out the last two weeks of the regular season and also had the bye week to get healed and refreshed for this pivotal game.
Also as a reminder, receiver Cooper Kupp is on injured reserve and his absence has been noted in the Rams’ play. While it didn’t stop them from winning a lot of games, Jared Goff was shaky down the stretch without one of his favorite receivers.
Will health and rest help Los Angeles to victory, or could lost momentum from the bye week hurt their cause? We’ll find out very soon!
