The Dallas Cowboys will be without several key players this week when the team travels to Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars are also likely to be missing several starters while the team’s star quarterback will almost certainly be playing through an injury for the second week in a row.
The Cowboys know they will be without right tackle Terrence Steele and nose tackle Johnathan Hankins on Sunday. Both players were moved to injured reserve this week due to injury.
Steele is done for the season after suffering a torn ACL against Houston. In the same game, Hankins sustained a shoulder/pectoral injury that will prevent the run-stuffer from participating in the next four games.
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones said on his weekly radio appearance with 105.3 The Fan Tuesday that Hankins would not return before the playoffs. Hankins was moved to IR Wednesday.
In response to Hankins’ injury, the Cowboys signed nose tackle Anthony Rush to the practice squad. Rush may be called into action as soon as Sunday to fill in for Hankins.
The Cowboys will also need to get creative in replacing Steele, likely moving several players around on the starting line to compensate for the loss of the third-year player.
There is a good chance that Tyron Smith will be active for the game for the first time since suffering a significant knee injury in the preseason. His replacement, Tyler Smith, may be asked to move inside to guard or to the opposite side as the line will have to be shuffled.
The most significant offensive player unlikely to be available for Dallas on Sunday is tight end Jake Ferguson. Ferguson suffered a concussion last Sunday and has yet to clear protocol.
Based on other, similar injuries to NFL players, the likelihood is high that the Cowboys will go into the game without the tight end.
Jacksonville is fighting for their playoff lives. Despite a 5-8 record, they are still alive in the AFC South.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is battling a toe injury that has prevented him from practicing for the second week in a row and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Despite the injury, Lawrence turned in a huge performance to get a win over the Tennessee Titans who lead the division. Lawrence was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Jaguars’ defense is banged up heading into the game with four players listed as questionable due to injury. Rookie top-overall draft pick, outside linebacker Travon Walker, is likely to miss the game after suffering what is thought to be a high ankle sprain against the Titans last week.
The team is also listing cornerback Darious Williams, safety Andrew Wingard, and linebacker Chad Muma as questionable for the defense. Muma and Wingard were both limited in practice this week. Only guard Brandon Scherff is listed as questionable on the offense.
The Jaguars and Cowboys play in Jacksonville on Sunday. The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. CST.
