The Dallas Cowboys have had more injuries than they’d like to talk about in 2020. On Wednesday, star running back Ezekiel Elliott showed up on the injury report and was limited in practice with a hamstring injury.
The 7-0 Pittsburgh Steelers come to town Sunday, and they’re bringing with them the league’s fifth-ranked run defense. Fortunately for the Cowboys, Elliott’s injury isn’t believed to be serious according to head coach Mike McCarthy even though he was limited again in practice on Thursday. DE Aldon Smith (knee) was also limited for a second straight day.
When Elliott hits the field on Sunday, he’ll be looking to recapture the magic of his only game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh in 2016 which was arguably the best of his career. Elliott gained 114 yards on 21 carries and adding another 95 yards receiving and scored three touchdowns in the Cowboys 35-30 victory.
The two-time rushing champion won’t have as strong of an offensive line to block for him this time around though. All-Pro Zack Martin is the only member of that unit that’ll be on the field Sunday. Tyron Smith (neck) and La’el Collins (hip) are out for the season which has forced multiple undrafted rookies, Terence Steele, and Brandon Knight, to get significant playing time.
With either Cooper Rush or Garrett Gilbert set to start on Sunday the Cowboys best bet, albeit difficult, will be to establish Elliott to take some of the pressures off of the quarterback position.
As for the Steelers, defensive lineman Tyson Alualu missed his second day of practice with a knee injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report Thursday, November 5
QB Ben Roethlisberger (NIR) – Full
CB Mike Hilton (Shoulder) – Limited
S Jordan Dangerfield (Quadriceps) – Full
C Maurkice Pouncey (NIR) – Full
OL Stefan Wisniewski (Pectoral) – DNP
DE Tyson Alualu (Knee) – DNP
DE Isaiah Buggs (Ankle) – DNP
DE Cameron Heyward (Quadriceps) – Full
[listicle id=657350][lawrence-newsletter]