Week 3 Injury Report: Dallas Cowboys May Be Without Top Tackler
The Dallas Cowboys rebounded from a tough Week 1 loss to win a dominating performance in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. Now, heading into the third week of the 2014 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys are working through some injuries to some of their key stars, and look to possibly be without their best defensive player for this week's matchup with the St. Louis Rams. Here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys vs. St. Louis Rams injury report for week three of the 2014 NFL season.
Dallas Cowboys
One of the scariest moments from the Week 2 win over Tennessee was the shoulder injury to Dez Bryant early in the game. However, Bryant returned to the field later in the contest and led the team in receptions and yards in the game. While he missed practice on Wednesday, Bryant returned to a limited fashion on Thursday and should be good to go against the Rams.
Also missing practice this week was quarterback Tony Romo. It was the first practice he missed since the season started, but that was really just a precautionary day off for the starting quarterback. After resting his back on Wednesday, Romo was back on the field in full practice on Thursday.
The scariest injury has to be that of middle linebacker Rolando McClain. The Cowboys leading tackler so far in 2014 injured his groin in the win over the Titans and has not practiced at all this week. While Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett said that the team has no doubt that McClain can play, they feel that getting on the practice field during the week is important before making any decisions.
If McClain can't take the field, mixed with the continued absence of Justin Durant, who is out with a groin injury as well, Anthony Hitchens might have to start in the middle for Dallas on Sunday. That could mean bad things when it comes to helping stop Rams running back Zac Stacy.
Another injury that will hurt Dallas this weekend is to backup running back Joseph Randle. The third string running back suffered a concussion on Sunday and has not returned to practice yet. If he misses the game, that will mean more playing time for starter DeMarco Murray and backup Lance Dunbar in a game where the Cowboys might have wanted to give them rest if Dallas took an early lead.
St. Louis Rams
The biggest injury news for the St. Louis Rams has been at the quarterback position this entire season. With starter Sam Bradford falling to a season ending injury before the season started, Shaun Hill became the starting quarterback. However, he didn't even last one game before falling himself, which put Anthony Davis out to start in Week 2. Davis came out with a big win, so things might not be as grim as expected.
Despite this, Hill was still limited in practice this week, Austin Davis took almost all the first team snaps in practice and it looks like the rookie will be getting his second straight start for the Rams. He will likely be without one of the Rams' top receiving weapons in Tavon Austin, who has a sprained MCL. Austin did not practice this week and will probably miss a couple of weeks.
Injury Report
Dallas Cowboys
Probable
- Bishop, Ken, NT – Illness
- Edwards, Lavar, DE - Knee
- Romo, Tony, QB - Back
- Selvie, George, DE - Shoulder
Questionable
- Bryant, Dez, WR - Shoulder
- Coleman, Davon, DT - Knee
- Durant, Justin, LB - Groin
- Escobar, Gavin, TE - Knee
- McClain, Rolando, LB - Groin
- Randle, Joseph, RB - Concussion
- Spencer, Anthony, DE – Knee
St. Louis Rams
Questionable
- Austin, Tavon, WR - Knee
- Harkey, Cory, TE - Knee
- Hill, Shaun, QB - Thigh
- Johnson, Trumaine, CB - Knee
- McGee, Brandon, DB - Foot
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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.