Cowboys Injury Report: Dallas Defense Hurting Heading Into Bears Game
By Shawn Lealos
The Dallas Cowboys have suddenly found themselves in dire straits. After spending the first half of the season as the best team in the NFC, they have now lost four games – all to NFC competition. This means that another loss could knock the Cowboys out of playoff contention completely. With their poor performances in the past few Decembers, fans almost sense another collapse coming. That makes this Thursday’s game with the Chicago Bears a must win. Here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears injury report.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys need to be as healthy as possible heading into the next four games, especially against the next three teams, which all have high powered offenses. The Cowboys defense came into the 2014 NFL season with many fearing they could be one of the worst in NFL history. Thanks to injuries and inexperience by the backups, they have really regressed over the past few weeks.
The Cowboys might be out a few players this week against the Bears. Safety Tyler Patmon will miss another game with his knee injury, so Sterling Moore will get more playing time once again in nickel situations. Backup strong safety Jeff Heath is also out with a thumb injury, forcing J.J. WIlcox to remain on the field for just about every defensive play once again.
Rookie defensive end Demarcus Lawrence was expected to finally return to the field to help provide quarterback pressure, but after four games, he has only seven tackles and no sacks. He is now questionable for the Bears’ game with a rib injury and it looks like Anthony Spencer will start getting more playing time as a result.
Everyone else is considered probable, including Tony Romo with his back problem, Rolando McClain with his knee injury and defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford, who has guaranteed that he will be back on the field this week.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears will be without their starting kicker against the Dallas Cowboys. Robbie Gould just needs one more field goal to break the Bears’ franchise record and is considered the eighth most accurate kicker in NFL history. However, he has a right quadriceps injury, and while he is listed as doubtful, the Bears signed Jay Feely, someone that Cowboys fans will recognize as the Arizona Cardinals kicker who has beaten Dallas in the past. However, Feely has been out of the game all season and might be rusty, giving Dallas an advantage if the game comes down to the wire.
Bears receiver Alshon Jeffrey missed both days of practice this week and is listed as questionable, but he has been on the injury report for a few weeks now and always plays. According to the Bears, they just held out Jeffrey for “precautionary” reasons, so expect him to play on Thursday. Receiver Chris Williams, who has a hamstring injury, is also listed as questionable but is less likely to play.
Dallas Cowboys
Probable
- DT Josh Brent, Groin
- DE Tyrone Crawford, Knee
- T Doug Free, Foot
- DT Nick Hayden, Shoulder
- LB Rolando McClain, Knee
- QB Tony Romo, Back
- DE George Selvie, Thumb
- T Tyron Smith, Illness
- WR Terrance Williams, Finger
Questionable
- DE Demarcus Lawrence, Chest
Out
- LB Dekoda Watson, Hamstring
- S Jeff Heath, Thumb
- CB Tyler Patmon, Knee, Ankle
Chicago Bears
Probable
- TE Martellus Bennett, Foot
- CB Tim Jennings, Groun
- G Kyle Long, Calf
- DE Trevor Scott, Knee
Questionable
- S Chris Conte, Eye
- WR Alshon Jeffery, Hamstring
- DT Jeremiah Ratliff, Knee
- DE Cornelius Washington, Chest
- WR Chris Williams, Hamstring
Doubtful
- K Robbie Gould, Right Quadriceps
Out
- LB Darryl Sharpton, Hamstring
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.
