Watch Stephon Gilmore suffer worrisome shoulder injury on nasty fall vs Commanders

Strange things happen when the Dallas Cowboys visit FedEx Field. They've lost five of their last six season finales in Washington with their last win coming back in 2014. Sure enough, they got off to a rocky start against the Commanders but they've since built a comfortable 21-10 lead going into halftime.

Just before the intermission, though, Cowboys fans collectively held their breath as Stephon Gilmore was slow to get up after a weird-looking fall.

Gilmore is officially questionable to return with a shoulder injury. He was spotted shielding his right arm/wrist as he headed to the locker room. The sheer protection of the arm and lack of mobility isn't a worrying sign for the cornerback.

Here's a close-up look at the injury. Gilmore's shoulder brace his fall as he made a diving effort to intercept a Sam Howell pass.

Cowboys' Stephon Gilmore suffers concerning shoulder injury vs Commanders

Already down standout guads Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, the Cowboys cannot afford to lose Gilmore before the playoffs. The secondary is already without Trevon Diggs, and while Jourdan Lewis has been on a tear for the last month, it goes without saying that losing Gilmore for any amount of time would be devastating.

Gilmore's reaction won't elicit any positivity, but it's encouraging he wasn't immediately ruled out. Players are typically ruled out immediately after exiting when the injury is serious. The fact Gilmore was questionable is a cause for optimism, but he was swiftly ruled out coming out of halftime. Make of that what you will.

The 31-year-old was active early and often on Sunday. He led the Cowboys with six first-half tackles and added a pass breakup. He and DaRon Bland have rotated covering opposing team's No. 1 receivers, but Gilmore has been the de facto lead-by-example guy in Dallas' secondary all season.

Losing him just before the playoffs would be crushing. This is a major development to watch this week ahead of the wild card matchup.

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