Cowboys Head Into Rams Game With Injuries On Both Sides Of The Ball
By Shawn S. Lealos
In Week 2, the Dallas Cowboys entered the Kansas City Chiefs game with minor injuries to their two biggest offensive stars. Now, in Week 3, those two stars are still battling injuries, while their top defensive star is hurt now as well. Here is a look at this week's injury report for the Dallas Cowboys vs. St. Louis Rams football game.
Of course, the two offensive injuries were to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. Not only did both men play, but Bryant finished with an eye-popping nine receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. While he has been limited in practice all week, Bryant said he fully intends to play in Week 3. The problem in week two was a hurt foot, which didn't seem to slow him down, but the problem in Week 3 is a bad back.
Jason Garrett has emphasized all week that the back injury is not a long-term ailment and he should be ready to go. Garrett actually said this is just a basic injury that all players seem to work through.
As for Romo, his injuries are still the bruised ribs suffered in week one of the season. Romo was solid in his accuracy in Week 2, although he rushed the ball and made some bonehead decisions late in the game. There is a chance that he is scared of taking any further hits to the ribs, and he has taken more shots to alleviate the pain. The Rams rank near the bottom of the NFL in pass defense, so Romo and Bryant should be fine.
On the defensive side of the ball, pass rushing specialist DeMarcus Ware went down late in the Chiefs game with a neck stinger and remains listed as questionable for the game. Ware has been limited in practice all week, but he has suffered through neck stingers before in his career and usually can return the same game if it happens early on. He should be good to go on Sunday.
Anthony Spencer didn't practice on Wednesday, was limited in practice on Thursday, and sat out again on Friday. As it has been all season, his knee will make him a big question mark heading into the Rams game. With Sam Bradford really starting to play up to his abilities, the Cowboys need both Ware and Spencer on the field to disrupt the passing attack of the Rams.
Morris Claiborne has been hurt early on this season, but still returned and played in the Chiefs game last weekend. He wore a harness on his injured shoulder and struggled in the game. Claiborne will not miss the Rams game, as Dallas needs their secondary out on the field in full force, but he will not start, with Orlando Scandrick filling in until Claiborne is full speed again.
The St. Louis Rams had 10 players listed on their injury report this week. In great news for the Rams, all but three of those players practiced in full on Thursday. Those names include running back Daryl Richardson (foot), Chris Long (hip), Cortland Finnegan (nose), William Hayes (hip), Eugene Sims (foot), Darian Stewart (thigh), and Chris Williams (foot).
The Rams released cornerback Quinton Pointer, a reserve who was suffering through a thigh injury.
The remaining two injured Rams are tight end Mike McNeill (chest) and tackle Rodger Saffold (knee). Only Saffold is a tough loss, one of Sam Bradford's protectors who sprained his MCL in the Atlanta Falcons game.
Injury Report
Dallas Cowboys
- Bryant, Dez WR Back
- Claiborne, Morris CB Shoulder
- Romo, Tony QB Ribs
- Sims, Ernie LB Groin
- Spencer, Anthony DE Knee
- Ware, DeMarcus DE Neck
St. Louis Rams
- Cortland Finnegan CB Nose
- William Hayes DE Hip
- Chris Long DE Hip
- Mike McNeill TE Chest
- Daryl Richardson RB Foot
- Rodger Saffold T Knee
- Eugene Sims DE Foot
- Darian Stewart S Thigh
- Chris Williams G Foot
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.
