Cowboys vs. Bucs: 5 questionable on final injury report

The Dallas Cowboys will have to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers possibly without some of their key starters. Let’s take a look at the final injury report.

The Dallas Cowboys can secure their place in the postseason this weekend with a home victory over the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dallas had an opportunity to be crowned kings of the NFC East last weekend, but lost in blowout fashion to an up-and-coming Indianapolis Colts team.

One of the main reasons for the unexpected defeat was due to injury. Particularly, the loss of All-Pro guard Zack Martin along Dallas’ decimated offensive line. The former 2014 first round selection was just nominated to his fifth-straight Pro Bowl earlier this week. That was after Martin was sidelined against the Colts due to a knee injury. Prior to the Week 15 matchup in Indy, the 28-year old lineman had never missed a single game in his NFL career.

But will Martin be available to play against the Bucs on Sunday? According to the Cowboys final injury report, he’s considered questionable for the matchup. Martin was limited in practice on both Thursday and Friday after not participating on Wednesday. The fact he was able to practice at all is a good sign for Sunday.

Joining Martin as questionable for the Cowboys matchup against the Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium this Sunday are linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring), wide receiver Tavon Austin (groin), left tackle Tyron Smith (neck) and cornerback Anthony Brown (hand/back). Lee was able to play seven snaps against the Colts last weekend. The Cowboys will likely continue to ease him back into the rotation due to the excellent play of rookie Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith.

It was believed Austin had a chance to play against the Colts in Week 15, but was still limited this week in practice. Although Smith appears questionable on DallasCowboys.com’s injury report, he was a full participant in all three practice sessions. Finally, Brown apparently had a back injury flare up on Thursday and the veteran corner missed Friday’s practice entirely.

Already officially ruled out for the Dallas Cowboys game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tight end Geoff Swaim (wrist) and defensive tackle David Irving (ankle). But there is also some good news as it appears starting left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo (eye) will be able to play on Sunday.