The only thing worse than the Dallas Cowboys missing the playoffs the last two years is that the Philadelphia Eagles are back-to-back division champs. They also steamrolled their way to a Super Bowl win in 2024. Not really sure what the scriptwriters were thinking there, but we digress.
At long last, it seems the Cowboys finally have a chance to dethrone the Eagles. While Philly's roster is still as talented as anyone's, it's hard to argue that Dallas closed the gap.
That belief will only be reinforced by the latest update on injured pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, who was Howie Roseman's big fish this offseason. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is concerned that Greenard will miss the start of the season.
“I don't know when Greenard will be back,” Fangio said on Wednesday. “You know, that injury he got in our weight room is going to take some time to heal.”
The Cowboys are watching closely.
Jonathan Greenard's injury could tilt the scales in the Cowboys' favor
Greenard suffered a pec injury lifting weights before training camp. Roseman said at the time that it's "not a long-term injury" and "nothing we're concerned about."
Fast forward three weeks, and Greenard is still on the Physically Unable to Perform List. While an accomplished vet like Greenard hardly needs a full camp to be ready for the regular season, he'll still need a ramp-up period to get in football shape.
There's also real merit to the idea that players need to callous their bodies before the season. That's why joint practices are so valuable. Ideally, you don't want a player's first time getting hit to come in the regular season. That's part of being in football shape. Conditioning is a big part of the equation, but not the entire thing.
After standout Jaelan Phillips left in free agency, the Eagles have a lot riding on Greenard to lead Fangio's pass rush.
Roseman sent two third-round picks to Minnesota for Greenard and signed him to a four-year, $98 million deal. His $30 million annual average value is tied for the ninth-highest at the position. It's a major investment for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.
Roseman's assessment of the injury does not align with the recovery. It's been three weeks, and now Fangio is concerned Greenard's recovery may bleed into the regular season?
Nobody's calling it a five-alarm fire, but think about how you'd feel if Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs -- or worse, Quinnen Williams -- were in Greenard's shoes right now. There'd be no containing the panic.
The Cowboys have been fortunate on the injury front to this point. With no more joint practices left, most, if not all, of their starters should be healthy to start the year.
Injuries will happen. A lot of players who suited up in the preseason opener are banged up. But with very little separating Dallas and Philadelphia, the team with the better injury luck may be sitting atop the NFC East in January.
Any time Greenard misses in the regular season is good news for the Cowboys, even if he ultimately returns when they meet in Weeks 7 and 12.
Until then, Dallas will be watching closely.
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