The Dallas Cowboys have just three games remaining in their 2019 campaign, and with a chance to make the playoffs contingent on winning the NFC East, all hands must be on deck if they are able.
The outcome of Sunday’s contest against the Los Angeles Rams affects their playoff changes by about 20 percent, per ESPN FPI. There is no time to wait, yet Dallas is looking like their linebackers corps may be even more depleted than first thought.
Sean Lee who is filling in for injured starter Leighton Vander Esch still has not participated in practice this week as he deals with a pectoral issue, so it remains to be seen if he will play against the Rams. Vander Esch is definitely out for this game, and it’s a question whether he suits up again this season.
If Lee is unable to suit up, rookie linebacker Luke Gifford will be called into major action for the first time this season as the third in the rotation behind Jaylon Smith and Joe Thomas.
The Cowboys had six other players who were limited participants on Thursday:
- DL Michael Bennett (foot)
- RG La’el Collins (knee)
- CB Byron Jones (hip)
- P Chris Jones (adbomen)
- DT Antwaun Woods (knee)
There were however two welcome changes to the injury front as safety Jeff Heath and backup running back Tony Pollard were upgraded to full participants in Thursday’s practice.
Jeff Heath and Tony Pollard both upgraded to full today. Still no practice for Sean Lee. pic.twitter.com/ihXutyZ0yl
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 12, 2019
Heath has been dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered against the Patriots back in Week 12 and Pollard suffered an ankle injury and did not play against the Bears.
The Rams are relatively healthy compared to the Cowboys, with only starting tight end Gerald Everett not participating as he deals with a knee issue. Relatively is the key word, as the offensive line has dealt with a major reshuffling this season already.
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