Three Cowboys to make timely season debuts against Chargers
As the Dallas Cowboys continue to navigate injuries across the roster, they'll be counting on three players who will be making their 2023 season debuts on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers. Leighton Vander Esch and C.J. Goodwin were both officially placed on Injured Reserve ahead of the Week 6 game. Per Michael […]
As the Dallas Cowboys continue to navigate injuries across the roster, they'll be counting on three players who will be making their 2023 season debuts on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Leighton Vander Esch and C.J. Goodwin were both officially placed on Injured Reserve ahead of the Week 6 game. Per Michael Gelken from Dallas Morning News, the two players taking their spots are:
- CB Nahshon Wright (Activated from IR)
- LB/DE Tyrus Wheat (Signed from the practice squad)
Wright making his return was expected since the Cowboys activated his practice window a few days ago. With Goodwin out (and Trevon Diggs also done for the year), the Cowboys need Goodwin to contribute on defense and special teams. He was a training camp standout and hopefully, he'll pick up where he left off.
As for Wheat, his versatility could end up playing a big role as the Cowboys. During the preseason, he alternated between playing defensive end and linebacker. Per PFF, the rookie actually had 32 snaps in the box and another 32 in the defensive line. He'll possibly join LB Malik Jefferson as a reinforcement, who is being called up from the practice squad.
Could Deuce Vaughn be a healthy scratch?
Additionally – and perhaps more interestingly than anything else – the Cowboys will be elevating running back Malik Davis for the first time this season. I don't know about you, but I believe it's tough to enter a game with five active running backs.
My guess here is one of them will be inactive. Given Rico Dowdle has been the clear No. 2 and Hunter Luepke has contributed to special teams aside from playing fullback, my money would be on Deuce.
Vaughn has struggled to make a big impact during the regular season despite an electric preseason in August. Particularly, his struggles in pass pro and lack of contribution on special teams could cost him playing time. We'll see if that ends up happening tonight when the inactive list comes out 90 minutes before kickoff.
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