The Dallas Cowboys have lost both starting offensive tackles, Zack Martin and Cam Erving, to injury but are still hanging in the game as they trail Washington 17-13 at halftime on Thanksgiving Day.
Erving went out early, pulling Brandon Knight off the bench, and then Martin left shortly after and was replaced by Terence Steele. The Cowboys are now down to just Adam Redmond as a backup offensive lineman for the rest of the game.
Dallas and Washington have traded scores throughout the half in a close battle so far. Andy Dalton has been sharp, throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper and totaling 151 yards on 15-of-18 passing.
Cooper’s TD catch highlighted a strong first half; four catches for 98 yards overall.
Washington has been able to control things mostly through their run game. Their running backs have combined for 70 yards on just 15 carries and a touchdown.
The run game success is helping neutralize the Cowboys pass rush. Randy Gregory already has two sacks today but the Football Team isn’t having to lean on Alex Smith too much yet. That has to change in the second half if Dallas is going to come back.
Most of all the Cowboys will have to figure out how to keep executing on offense without Zack Martin’s help up front. Both he and Erving have been ruled out for the rest of the day.
