The Cowboys and Buccaneers both have a lot riding on tonight’s Sunday Night Football matchup. Both will also be about key starters.
Here is the final injury report from each team based on their Friday practices.
- LP – Limited Participate
- DNP – Did Not Participate
- OUT – Already Ruled Out
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys- WR Dez Bryant (back) – LP
- G Ron Leary (back) – LP
- OT Tyron Smith (back) – LP
- OT Chaz Green (back) – OUT (IR)
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence (back) – OUT
- DE Jack Crawford (foot) – LP
- LB Sean Lee (knee) – LP
- DT Cedric Thornton (ankle) – DNP
- CB Morris Claiborne (groin) – OUT
- SS J.J. Wilcox (thigh) – LP
Chaz Green’s ongoing back issues finally landed him on IR. Already having a backup tackle on the roster in Emmett Cleary, Dallas used the roster opening to promote defensive lineman Zach Moore from the practice squad. He’s listed at 6’6″ and 290 pounds, so he could be used inside our out depending on need.
Several veterans showed on the report this week. Dez Bryant, Ron Leary, and Sean Lee are all expected to play despite being limited in practice. This is typical of the late stages in a NFL season; everyone’s banged up and veterans tend to miss practices. Nothing to be alarmed over.
DeMarcus Lawrence being out is far more concerning. While he only has one sack to his name in 2016, Lawrence has been disruptive and created opportunities for his teammates. Benson Mayowa, who had a sack last week, will likely get the start.
Some positive news in the secondary; Orlando Scandrick was finally a full practice participant going into the game. He’s not the only one getting healthier as J.J. Wilcox returned to practice after several weeks out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- OT Demar Dotson (concussion) – OUT
- LB Lavonte David (hamstring) – LP
Clearly, the Bucs are doing very well on the injury front. They will be without their starting right tackle, Demar Dotson, however. Starting in his place will be 32-year-old Gosder Cherilus, a longtime starter in the NFL who lost his job to Dotson this past offseason. According to Bucs Nation, Cherilus struggled last week against the Saints.
Lavonte David, their star linebacker, has been playing through injuries all season. He is expected to go again this week despite the hamstring issue.
It’s worth noting that receiver Vincent Jackson is on injured reserve from an injury suffered in Week 5. He is the only big name on Tampa’s reserve list.
