As we get ready for Sunday’s Week 11 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens, here’s a quick look at the injury situations for both teams.
The following is based on the teams’ Friday practices:
DNP – Did Not Practice
LP – Limited Participant
OUT – Already Ruled Out
Dallas Cowboys
- WR Dez Bryant (back) – LP
- OT Tyron Smith (back) – LP
- OT Chaz Green (foot) – LP
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence
(back/shoulder) – LP - CB Morris Claiborne (groin) – OUT
- SS Barry Church (forearm) – OUT
Dallas will continue to play without starters Morris Claiborne and Barry Church in the secondary. Recent comments by Jason Garrett made it seem that Church is closer to returning than Claiborne, but both will likely be out through at least the rest of November.
Dez Bryant was a late addition to the injury report after a back issue limited him in Friday’s practice. Reports are that he was moving fine after practice and there’s little doubt that he will play this week. If the Ravens really are missing their top corner (more below) then this could be a big day for the X-Man.
Get used to seeing Tyron Smith on the injury report, even if he plays every week. The franchise left tackle has nagging back and other joint issues and will likely be a limited practice participant throughout the season.
Baltimore Ravens
- RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (thigh) – DNP
- TE Crockett Gillmore (thigh) – OUT
- G Alex Lewis (ankle) – OUT
- DT Timmy Jernigan (shoulder) – DNP
- LB Elvis Dumervil (foot) – LP
- CB Jimmy Smith (back) – LP
Baltimore could be without several key defensive starters. While none of them are officially ruled out, Jimmy Smith and Elvis Dumervil are both listed as “Doubtful” for Sunday. Tommy Jernigan is “Questionable” but missed the entire week of practice, which is never a good sign for Sunday availability.
While he’s never been to the Pro Bowl, cornerback Jimmy Smith has lived up to his first-round draft status. He is just the kind of big, physical corner that they need to match up against Dez Bryant. If he’s out, none of Baltimore’s other cornerbacks are even six-feet-tall.
Jernigan would be a huge loss for the Ravens. With five sacks already this year, the third-year tackle is emerging as one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. He is not only a pass-rushing threat but also a key part of the Ravens’ top-ranked run defense.
On the offensive side, the only critical injury is missing starting left guard Alex Lewis. The rookie lineman, taken in the fourth round last April, pushed his way into the starting lineup during the preseason. He was injured last week against the Cleveland Browns, putting third-year backup John Urschel into the starting lineup.
