The Dallas Cowboys know exactly what’s on the line heading into Week 7 against the Washington Commanders. A win this week puts them one big step closer to reclaiming the NFC East crown. And for once this season, they’re actually heading into a game with some good news. But let’s be clear: the injury list is still long.
Fourteen players are on the injury report, but here’s the difference this week: besides the guard Trevor Keegan (neck), nobody has missed an entire practice. No one’s been ruled out yet. And the biggest headline? CeeDee Lamb feels good.
The Pro Bowl receiver, who’s missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain, told reporters he’s planning to play Sunday against Washington. He’s been limited in practice for two straight days, but sounds confident he’ll be back to himself on October 19. So, what exactly did he say?
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“I feel like I’m moving around, running around being me,” CeeDee Lamb said. “Happy as can be, obviously just believing in my ankle. Obviously, I feel like it’s back to where I needed it to be,” he added.
Before the injury, Lamb opened the season with back-to-back 100-yard games. The offense has managed fine without him, with Dak Prescott playing MVP-caliber football and George Pickens stepping up in a big way (six touchdowns, including two 100-yard outings). But of course, getting Lamb back gives the offense another gear. Besides this, there’s more good news, too.
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Linebacker Jack Sanborn, who’s been working his way through concussion protocol, was back as a full participant in Thursday’s practice. That’s a big boost for the middle of the defense.
The only small concern popped up on Thursday when safety Juanyeh Thomas appeared on the report with a migraine. He was still limited in practice, so it’s nothing major yet. Just something to keep an eye on.
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Apart from them, the list includes James Houston, Trevon Diggs, Caelen Carson, Donovan Wilson, KaVontae Turpin, Tyler Smith, Jonathan Mingo, Marshawn Kneeland, Ajani Cornelius, and Tyler Booker, all were either limited or full participants on Thursday.
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All in all, this might be the best the Cowboys have felt health-wise all season. But we can’t really say the same for Washington.
Jayden Daniels faces a double blow
The injury bug has bitten just about every team in the NFL this year, and the Commanders have been hit especially hard. Their Week 7 injury report didn’t bring much comfort to fans…or to Jayden Daniels, for that matter. Sure, he list looks shorter, but that’s mostly because seven guys were simply given veteran rest days. The real problem? The team’s two biggest offensive weapons aren’t looking any better.
Terry McLaurin, who had just returned to practice, was downgraded to did not practice on Thursday. That’s a brutal sign for a player who’s been out since Week 3 with a quad injury. Any optimism about him suiting up this week basically evaporated today. But tomorrow will be crucial.
And Deebo Samuel isn’t giving Daniels much to hang his hopes on either. He’s been battling a heel injury, but managed to play through it the past couple of weeks. Now, after missing practice two straight days, his status for Sunday is genuinely up in the air. If he doesn’t log at least a limited session on Friday, there’s no chance he makes the trip to Dallas.
Unfortunately, that’s not the end of it. Dorance Armstrong, Washington’s top pass rusher this season, tweaked his hamstring against the Bears and hasn’t practiced this week.