The Dallas Cowboys will be desperately seeking a victory Sunday when they travel to the Twin Cities to take on the red-hot Minnesota Vikings who’ve posted three consecutive victories. Currently, on a four-game losing streak, the Cowboys are still in a position to win the NFC East, which doesn’t have a team with more than three wins.
As final preparations conclude for this battle on the road, the Cowboys have a few players on their defensive line whose availability was up in the air as DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory have been designated as questionable.
Cowboys designated DE DeMarcus Lawrence (illness) and DE Randy Gregory (illness) as questionable Sunday to play vs. Vikings. Mike McCarthy expressed hope that both will be available. Gregory a limited participant today
C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) ruled out. Joe Looney to start.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 20, 2020
Lawrence has found his groove lately and is reminding everyone that he’s still one of the league’s best edge rushers. Over the last five games, he’s registered 23 tackles (six tackles for loss in the last three games), 10 pressures, six hurries, three sacks, four quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. This all coming after not recording a single sack or hit on the quarterback in the first four games.
Head coach Mike McCarthy didn’t seem concerned about his best pass-rusher missing Sunday’s game, saying that everything points to him playing despite battling an illness.
Gregory has been back in action for three games now. After being blanked from the stat sheet in his return against the Washington Football Team, and only logging six snaps, he’s seen his snap count go to 31 and 40 in the last two games, posting seven tackles.
He, much like Lawrence, will be needed as the Cowboys look to build on their best performance of the season as a rush defense only allowing 46 yards to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This week, they’ll try to contain league-leading rusher Dalvin Cook who has rushed for an unreal 465 yards and five rushing touchdowns in the last three games.
The Dallas defensive line should have an easier time of it as Minnesota starting guard, rookie Ezra Cleveland, has been ruled out. Questionable for the Vikings are TE Irv Smith, Jr. and CB Cam Dantzler.
The Cowboys will be without center Tyler Biadasz who is still battling a hamstring injury suffered in pregame warmups in Week 9 against the Steelers. Luckily, the Cowboys have insurance at the position as veteran Joe Looney will make his second consecutive start after returning from an MCL Sprain suffered in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns
[vertical-gallery id=658429][listicle id=658340][listicle id=658135]
[lawrence-newsletter]