The Dallas Cowboys entered the bye week with some bumps and bruises, emerged relatively healthy then fell right back in line with most of the league. Their Week 10 loss to the Green Bay Packers included several players who were worse for the wear, appearing on the practice report throughout the week. As the week of preparation for the Minnesota Vikings went on, a bug went through the team and locker room, impacting a couple guys who had emerged from the last contest unscathed.
DT Quinton Bohanna and punter Bryan Anger both fell ill, with the former missing the last two practices and the latter sitting out Friday. Both carry a questionable tag, as do four other players with actual injuries. Fortunately, the needle seems to be pointing up for them. RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee) practiced on a limited basis for the second-straight week, but the outlook of the star running back must be better as Dallas didn’t call up an insurance policy at the position.
Nor did they bring up insurance for DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot), who missed Wednesday and Thursday but was limited on Friday.
That may not be as much of an indicator though, as Dallas has a ton of depth at the position. Lawrence is one to watch for on the inactives list to be announced on Sunday about an hour and a half before kickoff. Also questionable are LB Anthony Barr (hamstring), who missed last week alongside Elliott, and CB Anthony Brown, who was knocked out of the Week 10 loss with a concussion he suffered on a big-play touchdown. So who else is available? Here’s a look at the 54-man roster, which includes one elevation from the practice squad along the offensive line, Dakoda Shipley.