Cowboys provide multiple injury updates ahead of Week 17 vs. Lions
Head coach Mike McCarthy just gave fans a big reason to smile by hinting at Tyron Smith being available on Saturday when the Dallas Cowboys host the Detroit Lions for a key Week 17 showdown. While he didn't outright confirm his availability, Smith was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday's injury report after McCarthy […]
Head coach Mike McCarthy just gave fans a big reason to smile by hinting at Tyron Smith being available on Saturday when the Dallas Cowboys host the Detroit Lions for a key Week 17 showdown.
While he didn't outright confirm his availability, Smith was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday's injury report after McCarthy claimed the team was optimistic about its health at left tackle.
"We feel good about it," McCarthy told reporters about Smith and backup Chuma Edoga, per Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken.
Smith is listed as questionable on the team's final injury report. Last week, his status was set as doubtful, meaning there's a better chance of him playing in Week 17.
Earlier this week, I wrote about why the Cowboys could've considered sitting Tyron for the remainder of the regular season and about why I wouldn't if I was running the team: The Lions have a dangerous pass rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, meaning they need Smith in the lineup to focus their efforts on the the right side, where Terence Steele is expected to match up against Hutchinson.
The Cowboys will be facing a significantly inferior secondary when compared to those they faced in Buffalo and Miami and as long as Prescott is kept clean, the offense should face a favorable game.
Although Thursday is considered the Cowboys' final injury report since the game is on Saturday, the team should be practicing again on Friday based on how they've done things this year. The team always runs a practice the day before gameday where personnel decisions are made at the end.
Cowboys' Final Injury Report vs. Lions, Week 17
However, it's not all good news for the Cowboys. The defense will be without Johnathan Hankins for yet another week. Struggles at defensive tackle could really hurt Dallas this week against a Lions' team that can dominate the trenches, especially in the run game.
Rico Dowdle was also ruled out, which sets up an interesting scenario for the Cowboys. Malik Davis is out of practice squad elevations and to play him he'd need to be signed to the 53-man roster and Deuce Vaughn has been a healthy scratch for most of the season.
As for the Lions, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has been ruled out, which is major. Detroit was hoping to get its star safety back for this one as the secondary continues to struggle.
Cowboys receive added motivation the day after loss to Dolphins
Will they capitalize on it?
