Heading into Week 5 of the regular season, the Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a multitude of injuries that has the team, in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s words, “banged up” going into their matchup against the New York Jets.
Already down two starting offensive linemen, the statuses of two additional starting linemen are up in the air early this week. Starting left tackle Tyler Guyton is still in the league’s concussion protocol after leaving the tie against the Green Bay Packers in the second half, and starting left guard Tyler Smith had an MRI on his left knee on Wednesday that has his status in question. The only starting offensive lineman to practice on Wednesday was right tackle Terence Steele.
Another non-participant at practice, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin was not present due to a foot issue that is expected to have him out for Sunday’s game against the Jets, according to a source. CeeDee Lamb is also expected to miss another game with a high ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 3, meaning the Cowboys could be turning to Jonathan Mingo and Jalen Cropper as roster elevations against the Jets. Expect George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, Jake Ferguson and Ryan Flournoy to also get increased opportunities.
Backup running back Miles Sanders wasn’t present with ankle and knee injuries, as his status is leaning more toward doubtful than likely at this point in the week. He will attempt to get rehab work on the practice field on Friday before a game determination is officially made.
As a result, the expectation is that this will be the week that rookie running back Jaydon Blue makes his NFL debut after being on the inactive list for the first four weeks of the year. Blue is next in line at the running back position to backup Javonte Williams and could factor into the return game work as well with Turpin expected to be out.
Safety Malik Hooker is expected to miss a “couple of weeks,” according to Brian Schottenheimer, with a toe injury. Juanyeh Thomas is in line to get the second start of his NFL career in replacement after playing 51 snaps in week four after Hooker’s injury.
On the offensive line, if Guyton cannot go, expect Nate Thomas to draw his first career NFL start after playing 17 snaps in week four. If Smith cannot go, the options get a little more slim. Trevor Keegan and Hakeem Adeniji are the active roster options.
On a positive note, the Cowboys activated the 21-day practice windows for cornerback Caelen Carson and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, who both suffered knee injuries in the preseason. They have until Oct. 22 to be activated off the injured reserve list onto the active roster or be put back on injured reserve for the rest of the season. If they are activated, the team will have to drop a player to make room on the 53-man roster.