The Dallas Cowboys returned to their team headquarters in Frisco on Monday after one of their biggest comeback wins in team history on Sunday over the Philadelphia Eagles, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team is “beat up a little bit” after further medical evaluations.
With it being a short week ahead of the Thanksgiving game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cowboys had to return to the practice field on Monday, as they did so without four injured players. Of the group, the most notable non-participant was wide receiver George Pickens who is battling knee and calf injuries after hauling in nine receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown on Sunday.
“Everyone is pretty sore and banged up,” Schottenheimer said. “It was a physical game. I was watching the game, and I was really excited about how we attacked and our play style.”
Joining Pickens as non-participants on the injury report was starting left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle), defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (elbow) and wide receiver/kick returner KaVontae Turpin (shoulder/illness). Limited participants included defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (neck), defensive end Dante Fowler (shoulder), safety Malik Hooker (toe/thigh) and safety Donovan Wilson (neck). Full participants included cornerback DaRon Bland (wrist), defensive end James Houston (wrists/knee), fullback Hunter Luepke (hip), guard Tyler Smith (knee) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (calf).
Of the listed players on the injury report, Guyton appears to be the one with the most concern going into the short week leading up to the game against the Chiefs.
“We’ll see how he does this week,” Schottenheimer said. “It might be tough, but we’ll see. These ankle [injuries] are all different. He didn’t do anything today. He’s not going to do much tomorrow.”
If Guyton cannot go, second-year player Nate Thomas would be in line for his second start after filling in for the injured Guyton for 36 snaps on Sunday.
“We have complete confidence in Nate,” Schottenheimer said. “We love the upside and the way he competes. The size is real. He has real power. He’s another young, talented player.”
Although starting defensive tackle Quinnen Williams briefly exited the game after taking a hard block to the ribs from Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, he was not listed on the week’s initial injury report.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith (ankle) did not practice and is not expected to play on Thursday. Tight end Noah Gray also did not practice, as he recovers from a concussion. Wide receivers Xavier Worthy (ankle) and Rashee Rice (hamstring) were listed as limited participants while quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a full participant with a groin injury.