Cowboys Rule Out Romo And Lee, But Eagles Secondary Looks Banged Up
By Kevin McGuire
The Dallas Cowboys have ruled out quarterback Tony Romo and linebacker Sean Lee for this weekend's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have also listed defensive end DeMarcus Ware as questionable after not practicing Friday. With the Cowboys banged up, the Eagles look to be heading in to a win-or-go-home NFC East Division championship match-up in the final week of the regular season.
A handful of Eagles on defense are a little banged up, but listed as probable for this weekend's game. Corner back Brandon Boykin (hip) was in practice all week taking regular reps, and he should be available to help out the Eagles secondary. Safety Colt Anderson will not be available, though. Anderson's knee injury kept him out of practice all weekand he is listed as out for this weekend's game.
Adding further concern to the status of the defense, safety Earl Wolff is listed as questionable for this weekend with a knee injury. Wolff took part in full practices this week so there is some optimism for having him in the mix in the defensive backfield against the Cowboys, but he may be limited at best if his knee starts bothering him again before Sunday night.
Staying on defense, linebacker Trent Cole is listed as probable with a hand injury, but that should not be much to keep him from playing this weekend. Cole was available for full practices this week and a hand injury may not be enough to keep him out of action for the final game of the regular season. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks is also listed as probable for this weekend with a knee injury. Kendricks was also in full practices all week so he should be ready to go for this weekend as well.
Back-up offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde has been ruled out for this weekend's game with a back injury, but that wraps up the short list of players not available for this weekend's game. Guard Evan Mathis is listed as probable due to illness. Mathis sat out two practices this week but was involved in the Friday walkthrough, so he should be available for this weekend. Tackle Lane Johnson (back) is also listed as probable this weekend, but he took part in full practices this week so it appears he should be available to stay in the starting line-up. The offense line's stability this season has been an asset and has shown a drastic change from last year's revolving door program in the trenches. Staying healthy for this weekend in the biggest game of the season is key.
Out
- S Colt Anderson (knee)
- C Julian Vandervelde (back)
Questionable
- S Earl Wolff (knee)
Probable
- CB Brandon Boykin (hip)
- LB Trent Cole (hand)
- T Lane Johnson (back)
- LB Mychal Kendricks (knee)
- G Evan Mathis (illness)
For more Eagles news and updates, visit Eagles Central.
Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
