The Cowboys have done a great job of managing injuries this season.
Not long ago the Dallas Cowboys were a team many people were laughing at. Losing seven of their first ten games, the team was heading into a dark place that would likely result in a high draft pick and a coaching staff overhaul in the offseason.
Well, times have changed.
The Cowboys are winning now, pulling out victories in four of their last five games. Although they were officially eliminated from the playoff contention on Sunday, the mood has shifted thanks to some good football and the incredible resolve the team has shown recently.
What is impressive about this recent stretch is how the team has persevered despite being struck hard with injuries. This year has been brutal as it hit them early and often and many of their top stars have suffered season-ending injuries. But even with all the setbacks, the Cowboys have been able to play well thanks to the depth of talent on this roster. Today, we’ll examine how each position group has been affected and draw attention to the players who have stepped up and given us something to cheer about down the stretch.
QUARTERBACK
The team’s most significant blow occurred midway through the season when they lost Dak Prescott for the year. Cooper Rush has taken over and has done as well as one might expect. They still have Trey Lance in their back pocket, but he’s more like a novelty item.
RUNNING BACK
Running back has been healthy all year minus one game missed from Rico Dowdle when he had the flu. The lack of weaponry at running back has more to do with the front office’s decision to settle with low-cost veteran free agents to package with Dowdle. Sadly, it took until Week 12 to make Rico the workhorse back.
WIDE RECEIVER
Brandin Cooks missed seven games this year which hindered the team’s passing attack. CeeDee Lamb has done all the heavy lifting with a little Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin sprinkled in. The team traded for former Panthers’ receiver Jonathan Mingo at the trade deadline, but he’s done nothing.
TIGHT END
Their depth took a hit when they lost John Stephens Jr. for the year (again), but Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker have handled things fine. Ferguson has missed three games this year and it’s given rookie Brevyn Spann-Ford some extra reps.
OFFENSIVE LINE
This has been a hot mess. Last week, we reviewed all 11 of the different offensive line arrangements the team has seen. The season-ending injury to Zack Martin and periodic injuries to rookie Tyler Guyton have created holes, but reserves like Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, and Asim Richards have stepped up nicely. Even veteran reserve Chuma Edoga has helped recently at left tackle as they work Guyton in and out of games.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The team has been mostly healthy along the interior defensive line, but the edge rushing group has been in dire straits. They lost Sam Williams before the season began. DeMarcus Lawrence has missed 11 games and counting. Rookie Marshawn Kneeland missed six games and Micah Parsons has missed four games. Guys like Chauncey Golton and Carl Lawson have seen a lot of action this season as they have tried to hold things down, but those guys can only do so much. The pass rush immediately improved once Parsons returned from injury.
LINEBACKER
This group started out great with a few young players alongside a seasoned former All-Pro who knew Mike Zimmer’s system. Eric Kendricks has been a solid free agent pickup for the team and paired with rising star DeMarvion Overshown, they were quite impressive. Sadly, a devastating knee injury to Overshown once again ended his year prematurely. Kendricks has missed a couple of games forcing another veteran/young’n duo in action. Rookie Marist Liufau is coming off his best game and with the help of Nick Vigil, the Cowboys’ linebackers are playing surprisingly well.
CORNERBACK
If the dizziness from the constant spinning of the offensive and defensive line brought you to the ground, don’t try to get up now. The Cowboys’ cornerback group has been run through the wringer. They started the year without one All-Pro, DaRon Bland, and will finish without another All-Pro, Trevon Diggs. In between, it’s been a mishmash of different corners. Caelen Carson and Andrew Booth were given chances early, but that didn’t go all that well. They turned to Josh Butler and Amani Oruwariye who were surprisingly serviceable before they too got hurt. Thankfully, veteran slot corner Jourdan Lewis has been incredibly reliable and the Cowboys cornerback group keeps finding a way to find a way.
SAFETY
The team’s starting safeties have played in every game so far this year as Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson have provided some inkling of stability in the secondary. The backups, Markquese Bell and Juanyeh Thomas, have suffered injuries so they don’t have much depth, but luckily they haven’t needed it. Those injuries have created more reps for Israel Mukuamu.
When you go down the list, it’s pretty bad. The Cowboys’ ability to show up each week and be competitive is a testament to their depth. Take a moment to appreciate the contributions of several bottom-roster players. Several players have taken on larger roles this season and helped their respective position groups as the Cowboys fight through injuries.