49ers receive catastrophic injury news before Week 8 showdown vs. Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys should be well-rested after their bye week and will hopefully get some key players back from injury. While DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland remain on injured reserve, Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland have a chance to play in Week 8.

Coming off one of the worst home losses in franchise history, the Cowboys will play their kryptonite on Sunday Night Football: the San Francisco 49ers.

One of the NFL's storied rivalries, the 49ers have dominated Dallas over the years. While the Cowboys have looked noncompetitive in various matchups in recent seasons, they have looked downright feeble against San Francisco. Both teams know it.

If it's ever going to happen, though, Sunday night has to be it. The 49ers dropped to 3-4 on the season with their Week 7 loss to the Chiefs. Like Dallas, San Francisco has been decimated by injuries and they suffered arguably their biggest one yet against the reigning champs.

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk suffers season-ending knee injury before Week 8 game vs. Cowboys

It looked like a devastating injury in real time. Aiyik came down with a pass in traffic and took a monstrous hit to the lower body by Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner and his knee caved inward. Already getting harassed by cornerback Trent McDuffie, Aiyuk had no way to brace himself for Conner's hit. It was a gruesome scene and Aiyuk was carted to the locker room.

This is yet another devastating blow for the 49ers, who were already playing without starting receivers Deebo Samuel (illness) and Jauan Jennings (knee).

Samuel seemingly isn't a concern for Sunday night and Jennings himself has a chance to play. However, having one less playmaker to account for is a win for the Cowboys.

Samuel and tight end George Kittle alone are a lot to account for, but Aiyuk was a second-team All-Pro last season and has given Dallas' secondary fits in previous matchups. With Bland potentially returning from his foot injury, the Cowboys' defensive backfield could be a full-strength in Week 8 for the first time all season.

49ers could also be without running back Christian McCaffrey, who continues to recover from Achilles tendinitis in both legs.

Again, San Francisco has plenty of leftover firepower to beat the Cowboys. This is a potentially must-win game for Kyle Shanahan's group, so Dallas will get their best effort. That is a terrifying thought given how the last couple matchups between these teams have unfolded.

While the 49ers are still the better team without Aiyuk and potentially McCaffrey, they aren't the regular season juggernaut they've personified in recent years. If Dallas can't get them Sunday night, it's fair to wonder if they ever will.

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