2 min read • December 11, 2021
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Injury Advantage: Cowboys Offense
Although Dallas has health issues at running back, they face a Washington team that has injury absences at key positions on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys starting offensive line is intact, giving them an advantage in the trenches against a team down two key pass rushers.
Chase Young tore his ACL Week 10 and Montez Sweat suffered a fractured jaw Week 8. Sweat was poised to return to practice this week before he tested positive for COVID-19 and was subsequently placed on the COVID reserve list.
Landon Collins, the strong safety turned linebacker, could be absent from the strongside linebacker spot as he is dealing with a foot injury that kept him out of Week 13. Collins is starting in that spot for Jon Bostic, who suffered a pectoral tendon injury early in the season.
Dallas running backs Ezekiel Elliott, who is nursing a right knee bone bruise, and Tony Pollard, who tore his left plantar fascia last week, should have no trouble finding running lanes.
Sunday will also be the first time wide receivers Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup have played together since Week 1.
Secondary Advantage: Cowboys Defense
Fourth-year quarterback Taylor Heinicke will make his 12th start Sunday for injured veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is out for the season with a hip injury. Heinicke may have trouble finding time to throw behind an offensive line that is down its starting center and right tackle.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys defensive line will likely get two key additions back this week in Randy Gregory and Neville Gallimore. Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters he anticipates both will return off injured reserve to face Washington.
Dallas got veteran pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence back from IR last week against New Orleans and he should play more snaps this week.
Star rookie linebacker Micah Parsons was listed with a hip injury in practice this week, but he should still play effectively.
Those defensive line additions should also help the Cowboys stifle Washington's run game. Antonio Gibson continues to manage a shin stress fracture and J.D. McKissic missed last week with a concussion, although he is on track to return this week.
Check out the full fieldview and SIC health scores at https://sicscore.com/nfl/games/washington-vs-dallas-cowboys.
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