Monday Night Football will feature the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Los Angeles Chargers, and there are several good story lines.
From Dak Prescott versus Justin Herbert to the chess match that will be played on the field between Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore, this is sure to be an exciting game.
As we enter into Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season, the wear and tear early in the year is starting to take it's toll.
Between the two teams, there are a total of 28 players mentioned on the injury report.
Dallas listed a whopping 18 players, while Los Angeles is responsible for 10.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys officially listed a season high 18 players on the injury report for their Week 6 matchup.
Out
CB C.J. Goodwin (pectoral), Leighton Vander Esch (neck)
As Dallas reported earlier this week, it's looking like a four to six week injury for LB Leighton Vander Esch, and a trip to IR is likely.
Some brighter news involving special teams ace C.J. Goodwin hit the media waves on Friday.
Goodwin says he is postponing surgery for an injury to his pectoral muscle, and hopes to return in six to eight weeks after being placed on short-term IR.
No Designation
LB Damone Clark (shoulder), S Markquese Bell (shoulder), C Tyler Biadasz (ankle), DT Neville Gallimore (knee), S Malik Hooker (shoulder), RB Tony Pollard (shoulder), WR KaVontae Turpin (ankle), S Donovan Wilson (ankle), CB Nahshon Wright (ankle), CB Stephon Gilmore (rest), DT Johnathan Hankins (rest), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (rest), RG Zack Martin (rest), OT Tyron Smith (rest)
Although the list is long, there are five players who were only listed on the report as having rest days from practice.
Stephon Gilmore, Johnathan Hankins, DeMarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin, and Tyron Smith all received veteran rest days after a physical game in San Francisco.
The rest of the players listed with no designation are a breath of fresh air.
There was some worry there for Damone Clark, Markquese Bell, Malik Hooker, and Donovan Wilson with LVE already being injured and Juanyeh listed as DOUBTFUL.
The linebacker and safety groups are currently thin with injury, and no designation for those groups is promising.
Tyler Biadasz appears to have recovered from an ankle that has been ailing him, and Tony Pollard's shoulder is well enough to carry the load.
The biggest surprise is KaVontae Turpin ending the week with no injury designation after being diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.
He scored the only touchdown for Dallas against San Francisco, and provides some juice to the offense in the packages he lines up in.
Questionable
OL Chuma Edoga (illness)
Reserve offensive lineman Chuma Edoga has been held back this week by an undisclosed illness, but hopes to be ready for Monday night if needed.
Doubtful
Juanyeh Thomas (hamstring)
Reserve safety Juanyeh Thomas aggravated a hamstring injury, and worked all week with the rehab group.
He has officially been listed as DOUBTFUL for Monday night, and his reps could be taken over Israel Mukuamu.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers officially listed eight players on their Week 6 injury report ahead of the game versus the Dallas Cowboys.
No Designation
RB Austin Ekeler (ankle), QB Justin Herbert (finger), S Derwin James (hamstring), OT Trey Pipkins (shoulder), OT Rashawn Slater (ankle)
The Chargers have anxiously awaited the return of RB Austin Ekeler since he injured his ankle in the first game of the season, and he finally makes his return.
Justin Herbert was dealing with a finger injury to his non-throwing hand that will not keep him from playing.
Oft-injured S Derwin James is nursing a hamstring, but shows no game designation for Monday night.
Offensive linemen Trey Pipkins and Rashawn Slater carry no designation. Great news for Justin Herbert against the Cowboys' fierce pass rush.
Questionable
TE Donald Parham Jr. (wrist), DE Joey Bosa (toe), DL Nick Williams (back)
TE Donald Parham Jr. is battling a wrist injury, but will likely suit up versus the Cowboys.
For the second week in a row, Cowboys OT Terence Steele will have to protect QB Dak Prescott from a member of the Bosa family.
Joey Bosa is listed as questionable with a toe injury, and will do all he can to join his teammates on the field.
DL Nick Williams is nursing a back injury, but is leaning towards playing Monday night.
Doubtful
S Alohi Gilman (heel), DB Deane Leonard (hamstring)
The Chargers' secondary will probably be without S Alohi Gilman, a young safety who has played 100% of the defensive snaps so far this season.
Los Angeles' special teams unit will miss DB Deane Leonard if he isn't able to suit up with a hamstring injury.
