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Cowboys at Falcons: Defense decimated by injuries, 4 out

By Steven Mullenax

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his sack of quaterback Sean Mannion #13 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his sack of quaterback Sean Mannion #13 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys will be without several members of their defense on Sunday when they return to Atlanta in a rematch with the Falcons.

After posting a big win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, the Dallas Cowboys suddenly appear to be a surging team. But they face a real test in Week 11 as the head back to Atlanta, the place where Dallas was “massacred” by the Falcons to the tune of 27-7 last November.

And although the Cowboys will be bringing some new faces to Atlanta, like wide receiver Amari Cooper, rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and running back Ezekiel Elliott (suspended during last year’s matchup); Dallas will also be without some important players due to injury. Particularly, on the defensive side of the ball.

On the Cowboys final injury report, five players have been officially ruled out for the rematch in Atlanta. Four of those sidelined players are from the front seven of the defense. Those injured defenders are two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring), 2017 first round selection defensive end Taco Charlton (shoulder), starting defensive tackle David Irving (ankle) and reserve defensive tackle Daniel Ross (calf). Wide receiver Tavon Austin (groin) rounds out the five.

Yet another defensive tackle, Antwaun Woods, is doubtful to play in this upcoming contest due to a concussion. He’s joined by fellow defensive tackle and 2016 third round selection Maliek Collins, who is questionable for the game with a knee injury. Collins was able to practice on a limited basis on both Thursday and Friday. While Woods failed to participate in any practices the entire week.

Also questionable for the Cowboys Week 11 matchup against the Falcons are: starting All-Pro right guard Zack Martin (knee), rookie starting left guard Connor Williams (knee) and backup linebacker Joe Thomas (foot). All three were limited in practice this past week, although Martin missed Wednesday’s session.

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In response to all the defensive injuries, the Dallas Cowboys promoted defensive tackle Christian Ringo from their practice squad to the active roster on Saturday. Ringo was a sixth-round selection out of Louisiana in 2015. The 26-year old last played with the Detroit Lions in 2017, where he recorded three total tackles in six games.

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