The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants released their respective injury reports ahead of the Week 3 clash on Monday Night Football. Neither team reported any significant new injuries, but both teams could see some roster shuffling as players become available to return to action.
The only player Dallas listed as out for the game is quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott was injured in Week 1 when he fractured a bone in his throwing hand after contacting the hands and helmet of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineman.
Initially reported as a six- to eight-week hiatus, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believed Prescott might be available as soon as Week 5 or 6. Prescott returned to practice on Thursday, still recovering from surgery but was seen on the sidelines throwing weighted balls. Prescott will be with the team on Monday and on the mic with Cooper Rush again this week.
The biggest news-that’s-not-news of the week involves Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons did not practice on Thursday but was not included in the injury report.
The Cowboys staff explained Parsons had a cold and was being kept away from team activities. As of Thursday, the Cowboys believed that Parsons would be ready for action by Monday night.
“He does have the kind of symptoms that were best for him not to practice,” Jones said. “Don’t look for that to be a factor against the Giants. That’s my information.”
Parsons tested negative for the flu and COVID-19 and is reportedly dealing with congestion.
Players the Cowboys listed as questionable for the game include tight end Dalton Schultz (knee), guard Connor McGovern (ankle), and safety Jayron Kearse (knee). Receiver Michael Gallup, who tore his ACL at the end of 2021, was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
Also not practicing for the Cowboys Thursday was corner Trevon Diggs, who led the NFL in interceptions a season ago. Diggs was absent for a “personal matter,” according to the team.
The Giants’ list of questionable players was longer than the Cowboys’. Most notable were outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was limited in practice Thursday with an ankle injury, and receiver Kadarius Toney.
Thibodeaux was the Giants’ number one pick in the 2022 draft, but he has yet to take the field.
The defensive staff in New York were hopeful that Thibodeaux would be ready, as the unit has only recorded three sacks this season and has not shown much life either in the pass rush or run-stopping aspects of the game.
Toney was a first-round pick in 2021. His best performance last season was a 10-catch, 189-yard showing against Dallas.
Toney was ejected from the game after losing his cool and throwing a punch at Damonte Kazee. The Cowboys went on to win 44-20 in that game.
Quarterback Daniel Jones has been working with a bit of a rag-tag cast of receivers this season, so getting one of the better players on the team back on the field would open up opportunities for the fourth-year signal caller.
The most significant injury issues for New York entering the game will be along the defensive line. The team currently has three defensive backs listed as “did not practice,” while two other backs, Dane Belton and Jason Pinnock, were limited Thursday.