The Dallas Cowboys clash against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football marks the beginning of a brutal stretch of games.
In the next four weeks, the Cowboys play the Atlanta Falcons (away), Philadelphia Eagles (home), Houston Texans (home) and Washington Commanders (away). Entering Week 8, those teams have a combined 18-10 record.
While the 49ers have dominated this matchup over the last three years, Dallas will get a neutered version of the reigning NFC champs. That is important, but the Cowboys have their own injury concerns to worry about.
While defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland remained on IR, Dallas is hopeful to get a number of players back this week. All-Pro defenders Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland top that list.
Parsons and Bland returning is no guarantee, though, and the first injury report of the week underlined that in a concerning manner.
Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland return to practice ahead of Week 8
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|---|
Micah Parsons | DE | Ankle | DNP |
DaRon Bland | CB | Foot | DNP |
Eric Kendricks | LB | Shoulder | Limited |
Caelen Carson | CB | Shoulder | Full |
Brandon Aubrey | K | NIR | DNP |
Marist Liufau | LB | Shoulder | Full |
John Stephens | TE | Knee | Limited |
Nick Vigil | LB | Foot | Limited |
Ryan Flournoy | WR | Ankle | Limited |
Jordan Phillips | DT | Wrist | Full |
Parsons worked with the rehab group at Wednesday's practice and was listed as a DNP (did not participate). While it is still early in the week, this is not a great sign for Parsons' availability.
Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan that Parsons will be "game-time decision" for Sunday night. Mike McCarthy added that Parsons has made progress and revealed that Parsons was among several players who remained at the facility putting in additional work during the bye week.
Never short on confidence, Parsons himself is optimistic about returning.
“My hopes are always very high,”Parsons said about his chances of playing. “I love great challenges. I love being able to beat the odds. I’m going to put this up to my trainers and my coaching staff.”
Parsons has now missed two games - the first games he's ever sat out because of an injury - with a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 4.
The Cowboys faced the Detroit Lions in Week 6 without six starters on defense: Parsons, Bland, Lawrence, Kneeland, Eric Kendricks and Caelen Carson. While each player was missed in the blowout loss, no player's absence made a bigger difference than Parsons.
Having said that, Bland's DNP is another cause for concern. The ball-hawking cornerback worked with the team before the bye and was seemingly on the cusp of making his season debut in Week 6. However, he was listed as a DNP for the final practice before the Lions game and was ruled out.
While Parsons and Bland still have plenty of time to get cleared for Sunday night, that both players couldn't practice with the team in any capacity on Wednesday hints they might need another week of rest and rehab before returning to action.