Wednesday’s practice report contained a surprise for Cowboys fans, and not the good kind. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence sat out the day’s work with a foot injury. But there was also encouraging news: Anthony Brown is still in concussion protocol but trending upward, and Ezekiel Elliott was limited with a promise from Mike McCarthy that he’ll play if he’s ready to go. Minnesota got a shock of their own as superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson was limited with a toe injury just a few days after making what could end up being the catch of the season against Buffalo.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are favored to beat the Vikings in their own house on Sunday, though they’re also at risk of matching a streak of bad run defense that dates back six decades. One outlet has an idea on how to give Dan Quinn’s unit a spark, and the coordinator gets one of his former players back in his fold as the Cowboys sign another former first-rounder. The math calculates Dallas’s chances of making the playoffs, this year’s Pro Bowl needs your votes, and several Cowboys stars serve up a big helping of holiday cheer. That’s all up in News and Notes.