Only one game stands in the way of the ending to what can only be described as a nightmarish Dallas Cowboys season.
In many ways, the front office's abhorrent offseason set the stage for all of Dallas' shortcomings. Once the injury bug got a whiff of blood, it was curtains. To make matters worse, nobody knows if Mike McCarthy or any member of the coaching staff will be back, though the general feeling is that the Cowboys will move in a different direction.
Being that Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders could be McCarthy's last, it is fair to expect players to give maximum effort as a potential final nod to the head coach.
If there is one thing to look forward to, though, it's that Trey Lance will finally start. The Cowboys figure to play most of their starters, but they won't have CeeDee Lamb, who was shut down with two games to go.
That will make life harder on Lance, but this is a great opportunity for the 24-year-old to showcase what he can do in a regular-season setting. Without further ado, let's get into who will be joining Lance on the gridiron and Lamb on the sidelines.
Cowboys' Week 18 inactives
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Kemon Hall | CB | Hamstring | Out |
Chuma Edoga | OL | Toe | Out |
Damone Clark | LB | - | Out |
Earnest Brown | DE | - | Out |
Tyrus Wheat | DL | - | Out |
Justin Rogers | DT | - | Out |
Hall's injury means the Cowboys will once again be shorthanded at cornerback. With Trevon Diggs (knee), Josh Butler (knee) and Amani Oruwariye (foot) on injured reserve, look for Israel Mukuamu and potentially Andrew Booth Jr. to see an increased role.
Hall was moved to IR on Saturday. In corresponding moves, Dallas signed quarterback Will Grier to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated CB Troy Pride from the practice squad.
The big takeaway, though, Micah Parsons, who was added to the injury report mid-week with a wrist injury. Voted to his fourth straight Pro Bowl, Parsons was limited on Thursday but practiced in full on Friday. He does not carry an injury designation for the game.
The 25-year-old superstar needs just a half-sack to reach double-digits for the fourth straight season. He will be out for blood in the 2024 finale.
Commanders' Week 18 inactives
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Marshon Lattimore | CB | Hamstring | Out |
Tyler Owens | S | Ankle | Out |
Jordan Magee | LB | Hamstring | Out |
Tyler Biadasz | C | Ankle | Doubtful |
Cornelius Lucas | OT | Groin | Doubtful |
K.J. Osborn | WR | Illness | Out |
Quan Martin | S | - | Out |
While Dan Quinn will play it safe with Biadasz and Lucas, it seems he's trending in the direction of playing most of his big guns.
The 11-5 Commanders have already clinched a playoff berth, but their seeding will be decided Sunday. They can clinch the No. 6 seed if they beat Dallas. That would pit them against the Rams in the first round of the playoffs.
However, if Washington loses and the Packers beat the Bears, they will be the No. 7 seed and travel to Philadelphia on Wild Card Weekend.