The Dallas Cowboys are heading into their Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets with a series of injuries that could impact their performance.
Currently holding a 1-2-1 record, the Cowboys are looking to rebound from a disappointing tie against the Green Bay Packers and capitalize on a favorable stretch of games over the next two weeks.
Entering this weekend, the team’s biggest concern appears to be the health of the offensive line, with the majority of the starting offensive linemen missing at least one practice due to injuries this week.
In addition to guard Tyler Booker and center Cooper Beebe, who are expected to remain sidelined due to high ankle sprains, the Cowboys could be without both left tackle Tyler Guyton and left guard Tyler Smith after both players missed practices this week.
Guyton has been missing practice due to a concussion, and Smith has missed time due to a knee injury; neither player participated in the Cowboys’ practice on Friday, indicating that both will be questionable for the matchup against New York, according to Todd Archer.
As a result, Dallas could be without four of the five starting offensive linemen, with right tackle Terrence Steele being the only starter to take part in every practice this week.
Dallas could also be without multiple skill position players, as both wide receiver KaVontae Turpin and running back Miles Sanders have also missed three straight days of practice, per Joseph Hoyt.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Cowboys recently signed wide receiver Parris Campbell to the practice roster due to the injury suffered by CeeDee Lamb, with his elevation appearing more likely if Turpin also misses Week 5.
Meanwhile, the injury suffered by Sanders could result in the team activating rookie running back Jaydon Blue for the first time this season, with Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer saying it is “trending in that direction.”
“But nothing’s final. We’ll get through today and the next couple of days but, no matter what it is, it’s because of what Jaydon’s done. I’ve been hard on Jaydon in the past — talking about the word consistency — he’s been more consistent, showing up and mastering what we’re trying to do from an offensive standpoint, and we’re real pleased with him,” he said, per The Cowboys.
These injuries could be challenging for Dallas to overcome as the defense continues to struggle against explosive offenses; however, the team is entering a stretch of games where these absences may be more manageable.
Dallas will take on the Jets on Sunday, followed by a matchup with the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, with those two teams currently having a combined record of just 1-7.
Realistically, Dallas must win both of these games to have a chance to make the postseason, as the team will quickly enter a difficult portion of the schedule in the second half of the season.