Week 1 Injury Report: Cowboys are healthy heading into opener

The Dallas Cowboys are heading into Week 1 of a crucial season, and with continued contract disputes and speculation around the future, the last thing the team needs is a full injury report heading into the opener.

Lucky for Dallas, they’ve managed to avoid just that as they gear up for their matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

It is a relatively clean bill of health for the Cowboys this week, though we will get into the specifics of that in just a moment.

This is in stark contrast to the 2023 opener, where they were riddled with injuries. Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Sam Williams, Donovan Wilson, and Jourdan Lewis all appeared on the final injury report with doubtful and questionable designations.

For obvious reasons, this is a good sign for the Cowboys.

That said, their opponents cannot say the same. Cleveland has at least one major issue in their report.

So, without further ado, let’s get into both team’s full final injury reports for the week.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys officially listed seven players on the final injury report this week.

Six out of those seven came in with no final designation, and one was designated for out in the matchup against the Browns.

No Designation

CB Caelen Carson (Knee), LB Damone Clark (Knee), DE Marshawn Kneeland (Knee), CB Israel Mukuamu (Groin), DT Mazi Smith (Achillies), S Juanyeh Thomas (Groin).

Rookie Cornerback Caelen Carson, who will be tasked with starting opposite of Trevon Diggs due to the injury to DaRon Bland, “tweaked” his knee in practice on Thursday.

Thankfully, the Cowboys caught a break here, and it was a minor issue that allowed for full participation in practice and no designation heading into the game.

Damone Clark was dealing with a knee injury in training camp, but that seems settled, as he was a full participant this week.

The key starting linebacker will be a full go for the Cowboys.

Both Israel Mukuamu and Juanyeh Thomas are listed as a result of groin injuries, though with full participation in practice this week, it seems their listing was just a formality.

Key defensive linemen Marshawn Kneeland and Mazi Smith were full participants after a knee and achilles issue landed them on the report.

Out

TE John Stephens (Hamstring).

The lone “did not participate” in practice this week for Dallas was rookie Tight End John Stephens Jr., who was out on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This has culminated in his being designated as out for Sunday.

Stephens has been dealing with a hamstring issue, but the team has not said how long they expect him to be out.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns, dealing with a slew of injuries, have listed ten players on their final injury report this week.

Eight out of those ten have come in with no designation for Sunday.

No Designation

LB Jordan Hicks (Calf), DT Maurice Hurst (Hamstring), WR Jerry Jeudy (Knee), DT Quinton Jefferson (Achillies), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Hand), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Knee), LB Nathaniel Watson (Quad), DE Alex Wright (Elbow).

Headlining the pack here is Pro Bowlers Jerry Jeudy, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

The recently acquired wide receiver has been a full participant in practice this week despite his knee injury listing, as has Owusu-Koramoah who has a hand issue.

Defensive Tackle’s Maurice Hurst, Quinton Jefferson, and Dalvin Tomlinson were all limited during practice this week, but are clear for Sunday’s game.

Tomlinson was one of three Browns to be limited on Friday.

Starting linebacker Jordan Hicks and his backup, Nathaniel Watson, were both limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but fully participated on Friday.

Defensive End Alex Wright was a full participant throughout the week.

Questionable

OT Jack Conklin (Knee).

In what is clearly the biggest story-line to follow in the injury report, Browns Tackle Jack Conklin has been listed as questionable after being limited in practice throughout the entire week.

The former All-Pro is recovering from a season-ending knee injury that he sustained in 2023, and his prospects to play against Dallas are up in the air.

Losing Conklin would be a major blow for Cleveland, as they are hoping he can fill in at left tackle if need be.

Out

OT Jedrick Wills (Knee).

The week started out positive for Cleveland star, Jedrick Wills, as he was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Things quickly turned sour, however, as he did not participate on Thursday, and Cleveland then ruled him out for Sunday’s game against Dallas on Friday.

As the leader of the Browns offensive line, it is a major loss.

Attacking Deshaun Watson’s blindside could now become a centerpiece of the Cowboys defensive strategy in Week 1.