After a Week 18 trip to Philadelphia that saw several Cowboys starters stay back in Dallas or otherwise miss the regular-season finale with COVID, illness, or injury, the team looks to be nearing full strength just in time for Sunday’s first-round playoff game versus San Francisco.
Safety Jayron Kearse is the only Cowboys player from last week’s rash of Reserve/COVID adds to still be on the list Wednesday, according to head coach Mike McCarthy in his midweek press conference. Kearse did not practice with the team, but is expected back on Thursday.
Several others were activated from the COVID protocol on Wednesday, including left tackle Tyron Smith, who was limited in the day’s session.
Linebacker Micah Parsons also returned from the COVID list. He told reporters after Wednesday’s practice about his experience with the virus.
“Some fatigue, muscle ache, sore throat, some congestion,” Parsons described. “I think from a standpoint of a comeback, I feel great. I had a whole bunch of rest. I had an extra bye week some of the guys didn’t get. So I feel refreshed. I liked how I played off my last bye week [Week 8 against Minnesota], so hopefully we can follow up with that.”
Linebacker Francis Bernard also returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity after being out with COVID.
Cowboys injury report:
Limited – Tyron Smith (knee, ankle), Keanu Neal (chest/elbow), Sean McKeon (neck), Francis Bernard (groin), Israel Mukuamu (hamstring)
Full – Tony Pollard (foot)
DNP – Nahshon Wright (personal)
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 12, 2022
Cornerback Nahshson Wright did not practice Wednesday for personal reasons, the Cowboys reported.
Running back Tony Pollard, who sat out Week 18 with a foot injury, was a full participant Wednesday, a good sign for the speedy threat.
Tight end Sean McKeon, safety Israel Mukuamu, and linebacker Keanu Neal were all limited, according to the day’s practice report.
Of note, cornerback Trevon Diggs was not on the injury report after missing Week 18 with an illness.
Tight ends coach Lunda Wells was also in COVID protocol as of McCarthy’s Wednesday briefing. “Actually, I think he’s testing today. He may be back today or tomorrow,” the coach said. “Other than that, we’re 100 percent.”
In a final bit of roster maneuvering, the Cowboys placed third-string quarterback Will Grier on injured reserve. Ben DiNucci moves up from the practice squad to be the backup to backup Cooper Rush.
For the visiting 49ers, star offensive tackle Trent Williams missed Wednesday’s work session with an elbow sprain. He missed the team’s season-closer dealing with the same injury, but head coach Kyle Shanahan says he’s hoping Williams will be able to play Sunday.
Veteran tight end George Kittle was given a veteran’s day off, while quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was limited with a chipped bone in his thumb. Both are expected to play in Dallas.
San Francisco running back Elijah Mitchell did not practice; linebackers Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Marcell Harris, safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Jaquiski Tartt, and punter Mitch Wishnowsky were all expected to be limited.
[listicle id=690791]
[listicle id=690670]
[listicle id=690649]
[lawrence-newsletter]