Dallas Cowboys Week 9 Injury Report: Cowboys Have To Fill Injury Holes in Secondary
The Dallas Cowboys sit on top of the NFC with the best record in the conference at 6-1, and they have accomplished this without their starting quarterback. However, Tony Romo has returned to practice this week although he is not yet cleared to return to the active lineup. The Cowboys have a chance to play the worst team in the NFL with the winless Cleveland Browns this week, which is nice timing since they are missing two of their top defensive secondary players this week. Here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys Week 9 injury report.
Cowboys Lose Morris Claiborne and Barry Church
The Dallas Cowboys watched Morris Claiborne turn into the strong cornerback they hoped for when they chose him with the first pick in the NFL Draft five years ago. However, his huge year has hit a roadblock as Claiborne is out with a groin injury, one of many injuries he has suffered through in his NFL career. Jerry Jones said in a recent radio interview that Claiborne will be out this week but should be back soon. Rookie Anthony Brown will play nickel with Orlando Scandrick back on the outside.
Barry Church is out for about three to five weeks with a broken forearm. Luckily, Dallas has last year’s number one draft pick Byron Jones playing almost all the secondary positions so he is there to add a body to just about any position in the secondary. Jeff Heath has also put in a lot of time recently and a rotation of J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath and Byron Jones should work to cover for Church.
Dez Bryant Is Back Despite Injury Listing
Dez Bryant is on the injury report this week as questionable, but there is no doubt that he will play in the game. After missing a few weeks with a knee injury, Bryant returned last weekend and finished with four receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. Expect Bryant to get more involved in the offensive game planning, but don’t expect other receivers to disappear. In Bryant’s first game back from injury, Dak Prescott targeted him 14 times for only four receptions and Prescott had his worst game of the season. He needs to get the ball to Bryant but not forget about Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams, and Brice Butler.
Cleveland Browns Get Quarterback To Full Strength
The Cleveland Browns made an interesting choice this week. Due to injuries, the Browns have played six different quarterbacks this year. Last weekend, Josh McCown returned from injury and had the best first half of any Browns quarterback since the ‘80s. This week, Cody Kessler returns from injury and the Browns will start him against Dallas instead of McCown. Kessler has a QB rating of 94.4 and the Browns feel he gives them the best chance to win against Dallas. Kessler also gets wide receiver Corey Coleman back from a hand injury this week.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Report
Questionable:
- (WR) Dez Bryant (Knee/Back) — Full Participation in Practice
- (DT) Maliek Collins (Knee) - Full Participation in Practice
- (RB) Lance Dunbar (Knee) - Full Participation in Practice
- (MLB) Anthony Hitchens (Knee) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (DE) Demarcus Lawrence (Back/Shoulder) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (T) Tyron Smith (Back) - Full Participation in Practice
Out:
- (SS) Barry Church (Forearm) – Did Not Practice
- (CB) Morris Claiborne (Groin) - Did Not Practice
- (LB) Ryan Davis (Hamstring) - Did Not Practice
- (OT) Chaz Green (Foot) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (QB) Tony Romo (Back) - Limited Participation in Practice
Post Author: Shawn S. Lealos.