Cowboys’ latest injury report: pic.twitter.com/r6xgmMNabz
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 19, 2021
The Dallas Cowboys travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in one of Week 11’s most highly anticipated matchups. Each club released their final injury report’s after practice Friday, and both teams have important players that have already been ruled out or are listed as questionable to suit up Sunday.
Amari Cooper was placed on the Reserve/COVID list late this week, and the star wide receiver is set to miss the matchup with Kansas City, as well as the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game against his former team, the Raiders. A noticeable loss for Dallas ahead of what should be a high-scoring affair, Cooper’s snaps will be allotted to Michael Gallup, who returned from a calf strain a week ago, and the trio of Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown and Malik Turner, who all showed their abilities during Gallup’s eight week absence.
Left tackle Tyron Smith is listed as questionable with an ankle injury that has kept him out since Week 8. Head coach Mike McCarthy told the media this week, “We’re hopeful he (Smith) can go on Sunday.”
Should Smith return to action, Dallas would have their starting tackles for the first time since the opening week as La’el Collins has reclaimed his right tackle spot following his suspension. However a report from early Sunday morning indicates Smith will not give it a go.
With Connor McGovern getting the nod at left guard over Connor Williams, many believe the Cowboys could be playing their five best offensive lineman for the first time all season.
Kicker Greg Zuerlein practiced in full after being activated from the COVID/Reserve list. Lirim Hajrullahu handled the kicking duties during the Cowboys Week 10 blowout win.
Two rookie cornerbacks were noted on the injury report. Kelvin Joseph (non-injury related) has been downgraded to out, and will not travel with the team, and Nahshon Wright (hamstring) was limited in practice and is questionable.
To add depth to the secondary and special teams the Cowboys’ elevated two players from the practice squad, CB Kron Brown as a standard weekly call up and CB Deonte Burton as a COVID replacement.
Dallas is still without defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and Randy Gregory (calf). Lawrence is due back in the next few weeks to a return after missing the last eight games with a broken foot. Gregory strained his calf in practice and the earliest he could return is Week 13. Tarell Basham, Dorance Armstrong, and Chauncey Golston will continue to fill in the majority of the vacated snaps.
The Chiefs injury report features three players whose status is up and the air, and one player that has already been ruled out.
Starting right tackle Lucas Niang (ribs) is out, which should help mitigate the fact that Dallas is without two top pass rushers.
Starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) is questionable, as is backup safety Armani Watts (illness).
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was activated from the injured reserve on Saturday, and is questionable, although he was able to get in some full practices during the week.