Injury Report: Dallas Cowboys Place Dez Bryant On Injured Reserve
By Shawn S. Lealos
This is a season that the Dallas Cowboys would like to forget. Coming into the season, the Cowboys expected to contend for the Super Bowl, while knowing they would have to overcome the loss of 2014 NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray. They ended up needing to overcome more than that as they also lost their leader quarterback Tony Romo and their top wide receiver for most of the season Dez Bryant. Heading into the final game of the season against the Washington Redskins, the Cowboys have placed both stars on the injured reserve list and limp to a finish.
The first thing to notice is that neither Tony Romo nor Dez Bryant are on the injured list because they have moved onto the injured reserve and are out completely. As a result, this week will see Kellen Moore get his final chance until preseason to prove he deserves to be the backup quarterback in 2016. If he looks bad in this game, expect Dallas to sign someone in free agency or draft someone to come in and serve in the role. That is disappointing for Moore, since he has few legitimate targets at receiver to throw to.
With Dez Bryant out, needing a second surgery on his foot, and Devin Street fresh from a concussion, it looks like Moore will throw the ball a lot to Brice Butler once again. If this week is like the rest of the season, Butler and Cole Beasley, who are suffering from knee problems, will be the top targets in the offense. Jason Witten is also there and will start, but is suffering from chest problems.
La'el Collins was supposed to be a huge addition this season, and while he had his moments, injuries slowed him somewhat. He is questionable this week with ankle problems, and might sit since Dallas has nothing to play for. The same goes for Sean Lee, the best player on the defensive side of the ball, who has a hamstring injury. There is no reason to risk further injury to Lee, even if it is the last game of the season. If Dallas loses, they get a better draft pick, so why risk injury to their stars?
The only questionable player that might play is cornerback Morris Claiborne. He said that he wants to play, and that he wants to re-sign and return to Dallas in 2016. This would be his last chance to show what he has if he wants to return next season.
Probable:
Cole Beasley, WR (knee)
Greg Hardy, DE (illness)
Jeff Heath, S (shoulder)
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE (chest)
Devin Street, WR (concussion)
Kyle Wilber, OLB (shoulder)
Jason Witten, TE (chest)
Jeremy Mincey, DE (hip)
Questionable:
Morris Claiborne, CB (hamstring)
Sean Lee, OLB (hamstring)
Doubtful:
La'el Collins, OG (ankle)
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.
