The Cowboys are coming off their bye week looking to correct course after starting the year 2-3. They will have to do that on the road, albeit against a 49ers team that has yes to win all season.
Both teams come into this game about as healthy as you can want near the midway point of an NFL season. Here’s a quick look at who could be missing, though, when they do collide on Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys
- LB Justin Durant (groin) – Questionable
- CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) – Doubtful
The biggest news for the Cowboys is that Sean Lee, who missed their last two games with a hamstring injury, was a full participant in practices this week and will definitely return for the game. He was arguably the swing factor in Dallas losing to the Rams and Packers, as any team’s best defensive player can be.
Justin Durant missed Wednesday’s practice, was limited on Thursday, and missed yesterday dealing with a groin issue. The 32-year-old veteran doesn’t need much practice time to be ready to play, but he could be inactive now that Anthony Hitchens is back and after the signing of linebacker Justin March-Lillard earlier this week.
The one guy you can guarantee being out is rookie defensive back Chidobe Awuzie, who didn’t practice all week with a hamstring injury. Jason Garrett is a firm believer in the rule that you have to practice to play, and that goes double for rookies.
San Francisco 49ers
- FB Kyle Juszczyk (back) – DNP
- DE Aaron Lynch (calf) – DNP
The biggest injury news for the 49ers is that Arik Armstead, their 2015 first-round pick and a key part of their defensive front, was just placed on Injured Reserve with a broken hand. They have also been without DE Tank Carradine, another starter, for a month with a high ankle sprain.
As far as guys on the active 53 go, the 49ers are pretty healthy right now. They will likely be without fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who was out all week with a back issue. That will hurt the run game, which San Francisco may have been counting on as they’re starting rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard for the first time tomorrow. Juszczyk also has some versatility, having eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown this season.
Defensive end Aaron Lynch should miss the game with a calf injury but was at the bottom of the depth chart anyway. He has one sack this season in limited duty.
