Cowboys Injury Report: Eagles And Cowboys Mostly Healthy For Rematch
By Shawn Lealos
The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles battle for the NFC East lead for the second time in two weeks thanks to the Eagles losing to the Seattle Seahawks last week. There is a lot more on the line here as well, because the Detroit Lions and Seahawks are both keeping pace with the Cowboys and Eagles, which means that the loser of this game is in danger of missing out on the playoffs completely.
With that in mind, here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles injury report.
Dallas Cowboys
Just a couple of weeks after returning to the Dallas Cowboys lineup following a year-plus absence due to a drinking-and-driving accident, which almost ended his career, Josh Brent will likely not play at all this week. He has missed two straight days of practice with a calf injury that he actually suffered midweek. The Cowboys refused to call him out for the game, but he won’t play.
The fact is that, despite the importance of the game, the Cowboys have a ton of talent on the defensive line, especially with high 2014 NFL Draft pick DeMarcus Lawrence returning after missing last week with a rib injury. Lawrence is a huge body, and someone who Dallas hopes will be a key pass rusher for the future. The line may not have the best stats this season, but there are a lot of bodies to rotate in and out and Brent has not played enough to be a likely noticed absence.
Outside of Brent and reserve linebacker Dekoda Watson (thumb), everyone else should play this week for Dallas. Tony Romo underwent a lot of controversy last week when he commented on broken ribs and the NFL believed that the Cowboys were fudging on their injury reports. Once again Romo is listed only for his back, as he has been all season, and Dallas denies any claims of broken ribs for their quarterback.
Also making his return to the lineup this week is cornerback Tyler Patmon (knee, ankle). He took over the nickel role when Morris Claiborne went down with a season ending injury. He will make things a little more stable in the secondary, especially with Jeff Heath (thumb) as probable finally at safety.
Philadelphia Eagles
The biggest loss for the Philadelphia Eagles this week is, once again, at quarterback as Nick Foles (collarbone) likely won’t be back before the playoffs, if at all, this season. That probably doesn’t bother Eagles fans, since Mark Sanchez looked like an All-Pro in beating up the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in reserve for Foles. He completed 20-of-29 passes for 217 yards and even ran for a touchdown against Dallas. However, last week against the Seahawks, he only completed 10 passes for 96 yards, so Philadelphia really missed Foles in that one game.
Outside of Sanchez, the Eagles are about as healthy as Dallas, with everyone else listed as probable. Kicker Cody Parker (groin) and backup running back Chris Polk (angle) were both practicing full-time again and all other injured players should be available for the big rematch with the Dallas Cowboys.
Injury Report
Dallas Cowboys
Probable
- Jeff Heath (SS), Thumb
- DeMarcus Lawrence (DE), Chest
- Rolando McClain (MLB), Knee
- Jeremy Mincey (DE), Personal
- Tyler Patmon (DB), Knee/Ankle
- Tony Romo (QB), Back
- George Selvie (DE), Thumb
Doubtful
- Josh Brent (DT), Calf
Out
- Dekoda Watson (OLB), Hamstring
Philadelphia Eagles
Probable
- Cody Parkey (K), Right Groin
- Chris Polk (RB), Ankle
- Emmanuel Acho (LB), Groin
- Trey Burton (TE), Hamstring
- Josh Huff (WR), Hip
- Cedric Thornton (DE), Groin
Out
- Nick Foles (QB), Collarbone
For more Cowboys news and updates, visit Cowboys Central.
Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.