What happened to all the Dallas Cowboys reinforcements?

With the new 17 game schedule on deck, the official halfway point for these Dallas Cowboys will be halftime of this weekend’s game. Even with that corky twist, time is running out for these injured players to return.

Cornerback Kelvin Joseph was activated two weeks ago but has been mostly invisible since his return. It’s not 100% his fault as returning players need time to get into game shape but also time to learn where and how they fit.

Cowboys’ wide receiver Michael Gallup suffered a calf strain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week one and has not played since. The severity of his calf injury must have been severe as he has missed eight weeks now.

It appears as if his return is likely this weekend against Atlanta but I have to wonder what took so long? His calf strain was originally listed as a three to five-week injury but the Cowboys have brought him along slower than most expected.

The Dallas Cowboys have been hit hard by the injury bug in 2021

I wonder if the Cowboy’s front office dragged their feet in order to reduce his free agency worth?

It appears as if defensive tackle and 2019 top draft pick Trysten Hill will also make his debut but it took over a year for him to recover from a torn ACL. I understand that some players take longer to recover than others but I feel like the Cowboys are slow playing a few of these injury recoveries.

I would never want to rush anyone back but the team only has half a season to figure out rotations and playing time with all of their pieces. If there was ever a player to slow play, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence should be the player who should be brought back slowly but it appears he is on the fringe of his original timeline.

His eight weeks are up and it looks like “Tank” might be on the field for some limited activities. His broken foot worries me as it always feels like players with broken bones in their hands and feet usually break them again.

Cowboys’ defensive tackle Neville Gallimore was expected to miss four to six weeks but that timeline was given in mid-August. We are all probably preparing for Thanksgiving dinner so who knows what is going on with Gallimore.

I know Gallimore would be a tremendous help at this point of the season especially against the run but his replacements should turn the interior of the defensive line into a platoon of fresh bodies rather than sole possession upon his return.

His presence could provide the defense with a much-needed boost. Especially after the Brent Urban injury. Speaking of, the injury to Urban was listed as a tricep injury so good luck trying to figure out when he will be back. I will say Urban was missed last week against Denver.

That means of my projected starting defensive line group of Randy Gregory, Brent Urban, Neville Gallimore, and DeMarcus Lawrence, only one player is available to play. How many teams can lose that many people and still operate as a contending team? I understand that different injuries heal differently on different people but time is running out on the Cowboys to field the team they envisioned at the beginning of the season.