As we get ready for Sunday’s Week 4 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, here’s a quick look at the injury situations for both teams.
The following are based on the teams’ Thursday practices:
DNP – Did Not Practice
LP – Limited Participant
Dallas Cowboys
- QB Tony Romo (back) – DNP
- WR Dez Bryant (knee) – DNP
- OG La’el Collins (toe) – DNP
- OT Tyron Smith (back) – DNP
- OT Doug Free (quadricep) – LP
- LB Andrew Gachkar (neck) – LP
- LB Mark Nzeocha (Achilles) – LP
- CB Orlando Scandrick (hamstring) – LP
The injuries are starting to pule up for the Cowboys. Dez Bryant’s much-discussed knee will likely keep him out this week and for a couple more after. He has not been officially ruled out but that seems to be nothing but gamesmanship on Jason Garrett’s part.
La’el Collins’ injury may not be as bad as originally feared. Early thoughts that he could go to IR have cooled and now the talk is that he may only be out a few weeks. Veteran Ronald Leary will get the start.
Tyron Smith was a surprise inactive last week against Chicago and has yet to return to practice. Thankfully, Chaz Green played well at left tackle last week. Doug Free is not expected to miss any game time with his minor quad issue.
Not appearing on this list for the first all year is defensive end Charles Tapper. Unfortunately, that’s because he was placed on Injured Reserve with an ongoing back problem.
Orlando Scandrick should return to action this week but may see limited reps as the team protects his hamstring. Anthony Brown played well as the slot corner last week and could still see a lot of time.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers- TE Vance McDonald (hip) – LP
- TE Garrett Celek (back) – LP
- CB Jimmie Ward (quadricep) – DNP
The 49ers use McDonald and Celek fairly evenly. Of the team’s three passing touchdowns this year, McDonald has caught two of them. He will be missed in the redzone if Blaine Gabbert can get the offense close enough.
Jimmie Ward is a starting corner and his loss would help offset Dallas being without Dez Bryant. If Ward can’t go then Chris Davis, a third-year player out of Auburn, is the next man up on the 49ers’ depth chart. He went undrafted in 2014.
