Cowboys vs. Dolphins: Latest injury news reminiscent of past nightmare
The Dallas Cowboys are in for a dangerous game against a dangerous opponent in Week 16 as they take on the Miami Dolphins, who have some dudes on offense and defense. As if the matchup wasn't nerve-inducing enough, the team's injury outlook is getting more concerning by the day. We knew about Zack Martin's blurry […]
The Dallas Cowboys are in for a dangerous game against a dangerous opponent in Week 16 as they take on the Miami Dolphins, who have some dudes on offense and defense.
As if the matchup wasn't nerve-inducing enough, the team's injury outlook is getting more concerning by the day.
We knew about Zack Martin's blurry availability following a quad injury that knocked him out of the game in the first half versus the Buffalo Bills. But fans can now add Tyron Smith to their list of concerns.
The All-Pro and future Hall of Fame left tackle was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report with a back issue. While that raised some eyebrows, the veteran has consistently been given rest as he manages a long history of back and neck injuries.
But on Thursday, it was confirmed Smith is dealing with something that popped up recently during the Buffalo Bills game in Week 15, meaning it's about more than just workload management.
"It's something from the game, you know he's he's working through it," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters. "And I I think he'll do more today, he's scheduled to do more today than he did yesterday. We definitely have, we still have a lot of time"
While McCarthy seems to be giving Tyron a chance, his injury history makes it far from a guarantee that he'll play. That raises concerns and brings up a scenario frustratingly reminiscent to Week 3, when the Cowboys played the Arizona Cardinals with three backup linemen.
This time, both Zack Martin's and Tyron Smith's statuses are in question. If the Cowboys miss the two, it sets up a very dangerous matchup against a Dolphins' defensive front that is legit.
Dolphins could make Cowboys pay for injury news
Miami owns the second-highest sack rate in the NFL despite blitzing at the fourth-lowest rate, per Pro Football Reference. Edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Andrew Van Ginkel both are graded within the Top 10 per PFF. And the stats back it up: Chubb is 11th in pressures and has double-digit sacks. Both rank in the Top 15 of the league in pass rush win rate.
And then there's the kicker: DT Christian Wilkins takes advantage of their work by creating chaos inside. He currently is third in sacks among interior defensive lineman and could be a serious mismatch if it's Tyler Biadasz and T.J. Bass at center and right guard.
Cowboys injury report vs. Dolphins, Week 16
Cowboys can thank NFL for upcoming blessing in disguise vs. Dolphins
Exactly what they need.
