Cowboys inactives vs 49ers show offense will be shorthanded at key position

Kickoff is just a little over an hour away, and the Dallas Cowboys have announced their inactives for their Divisional Round clash against the 49ers.

Coming into Sunday, we already knew Jason Peters, who started at left tackle against the Buccaneers, was ruled out with a hip injury suffered Monday night. His absences means Tyler Smith will move back to LT, with Connor McGovern shifting to left guard and Tyron Smith maintaining his spot at right tackle.

Joining Peters on the inactives list is Peyton Hendershot, who popped up on the injury report Saturday with a hamstring injury. The quick turnaround wasn’t enough time for Hendershot to get the green light, so the Cowboys will be shorthanded at tight end.

Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson should be able to carry the load, but Hendershot’s absence could be significant in terms of blocking the 49ers’ vaunted front seven. Essentially, Dallas has one less blocker to chip Nick Bosa.

The silver lining here is that Jayron Kearse, as promised, is active.

Cowboys reveal inactives for Divisional Round game vs 49ers

It’ll be interesting to see if Kearse is at all limited by his knee injury. Again, the Cowboys only had five days of rest between their Wild Card win and tonight’s game. Kearse will line up all over the defense and will make stops against the run, but it’s expected he’ll be matched up against George Kittle for most of the game.

In terms of other takeaways, Nahshon Wright is inactive for the second time in as many games. Second-year safety Israel Mukuamu got the start as Dallas’ third cornerback against the Bucs. After rising to the occasion in his first playoff game, Cowboys fans will see a ton of Mukuamu Sunday night.

Like Wright, Quinton Bohanna is inactive again. Neville Gallimore, meanwhile, is active, so he’ll likely serve as a passing down specialist. Osa Odighizuwa, Carlos Watskins, Johnathan Hankins, and Chauncey Golston excelled against the run vs Tampa Bay. They’ll be key in slowing down the 49ers exotic rushing attack.

In a perfect world, the Cowboys would have Hendershot and Peters for tonight, but their respective absences is by no means a death knell.

Tyler Smith has thrived regardless of his role, and McGovern is more than capable of holding down the fort at left guard, while Dallas’ tight ends have been consistent all year, and Ferguson hasn’t been overwhelmed by the big moment as a rookie.

Let’s get a W.

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