The Dallas Cowboys are right back in striking distance for the NFC East title, as one win will give them the same amount of wins as the New York Giants through 10 weeks. So clearly, a victory on Sunday is crucial, but it won't come easy, as the Cowboys are set to host the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers.
If Dallas really wants to win this matchup against a longtime rival, a good start would be getting healthy. The Cowboys have been hit with the injury bug, but the good news is that prior to this matchup, they're getting healthier--as several key players are off the injury report and are good to go.
Starting with that is George Pickens, who missed the Week 9 win over the Colts due to a hamstring issue. But after logging back-to-back limited sessions, it would appear he was on his way back to a return, which turned out to be right, as he practiced in full on Friday and is now off the injury report.
That's a major return to the starting lineup obviously, but the storylines don't end there, so let's dive into the final injury report after the week of practice.
The Cowboys are set to get some key starters back against the 49ers
DeMarvion Overshown is good to go for Week 10
Let's start with a man who has been a frequent addition on these lists: linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown missed Week 9 due to a flare-up in his back and a hamstring issue, but practiced in full on both Thursday and Friday after getting in a limited session on Wednesday.
He's now off the injury report and is good to go, which is great news against a 49ers team with one of the best running backs in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey, and one of the best tight ends in George Kittle. So while he is healthy, he will have his work cut out for him. This entire defense will, for that matter.
Overshown produced splash plays in Weeks 7 and 8 before missing the Colts game. The Cowboys will need one or two of those against San Francisco.
DaRon Bland's status is in jeopardy
The Cowboys are dealing with enough injuries in the secondary, as Jalen Thompson is set to miss his seventh straight game and PJ Locke is out, too. Also, safety Juanyeh Thomas is doubtful after going from a limited session on Thursday to a Friday DNP. But none of this is the biggest deal on the back end.
That honor goes to DaRon Bland, who was a surprise addition to Friday's injury report due to an ankle injury. He practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday, yet was downgraded to limited on Friday, so it feels like his status is in real doubt, although we don't know much about what actually happened.
And given Joey Porter Jr. (who we'll get to after this) is no shoo-in to play either, this isn't exactly ideal against MVP candidate Brock Purdy. Even though Bland hasn't exactly been effective even when he's been healthy either, being down both top CBs would be brutal.
Joey Porter Jr. is progressing in the right direction
Speaking of cornerback injuries, I said we would get to Joey Porter Jr., who has been dealing with a nagging ankle and foot injury that sidelined him in the win over the Colts, but he at least has a chance to play in Week 10, as Stephen Jones even said he had a "really, really good day" on Friday.
Porter Jr. did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but was upgraded to a limited partipant on Friday, so he's progressing in the right direction, although he still has a ways to go before we know he's a true full go.
Cowboys players who are inactive:
- EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
- TE Jake Ferguson
- S PJ Locke
- RB Tyler Goodson
- WR Jonathan Mingo
Cowboys players who are off the injury report:
- WR KaVontae Turpin
- TE Brevyn Spann-Ford
- TE Luke Schoonmaker
- WR George Pickens
- LB DeMarvion Overshown
- S Malik Hooker
- OLB Von Miller
- OLB Marist Liufau
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