Dallas Cowboys Injury Report: Doug Free Out Of Action
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into what some think might be a trap game against the NFC East division rival New York Giants. Last week, Dallas beat the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, and honestly looked dominant in the win. Last week, the Giants were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles and lost their best wide receiver for the season. However, if Dallas comes in over confident, that could spell disaster, especially with the injuries mounting for the surprisingly hot Cowboys team.
Here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants injury report for their Week 7 game.
Dallas Cowboys
The newest injury is one that might have some Dallas Cowboys fans worried. Offensive tackle Doug Free left last week's win over Seattle with a foot injury and he will miss a few weeks. Over the first part of the 2014 NFL season, Dallas has been the best rushing team in the league, with DeMarco Murray miles ahead of the next best running back. While Murray has been spectacular, the Dallas offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL.
Last week, Tyron Smith won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award, the first time in a few years that an offensive lineman won the award. Losing one of the five dominant lineman might not hurt as bad as some might think, but it might cause a weakness in the line for both pass protection and run blocking.
Replacing Free at right tackle is Jeremy Parnell, who has only started two games in his NFL career. However, Dallas feels secure in plugging in Parnell to block. Interestingly, the play after Doug Free was injured was the DeMarco Murray touchdown run and Parnell was blocking on that play. This is just a case of next man up.
More troubling is the linebacker corps. Bruce Carter will miss another game this week, and Anthony Hitchens will get another start on the strong side. Hitchens had his worst game of the season against Seattle, recording no stats. Rolando McClain just returned on Friday after missing practice all week, but he was back home in a custody battle for his kids and will play on Sunday. Anthony Spencer also sat out practice this week, but he is just resting his surgically repaired knee.
New York Giants
The New York Giants suffered their worst loss of the season last Sunday when their most explosive wide receiver Victor Cruz fell to a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, a season ending injury. He was the best weapon on an offense that has struggled all season and will be missed.
The first thing that New York did was sign former Cowboys' receiver Kevin Ogletree to the team, and there is a chance he plays immediately this Sunday. The primary backup for Cruz was Jerrel Jernigan, but he was knocked out for the season before Cruz was. Slot receiver Preston Parker will get the first shot at replacing Cruz in the starting rotation, while rookie Odell Beckham Jr. will get many more looks as well.
Also out of action is the Giants' leading running back Rashad Jennings. He missed last week's game with a sprained left knee and will miss this week as well. Replacing him in the lineup is rookie Andre Williams, who ran for 58 yards last week, and veteran Peyton Hillis, who ran for 24.
Heading into the Cowboys' game, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will remain limited as he struggles with leg and back injuries. If he can't go on Sunday, after limited practice all week, Zack Bowman will start in his place. 2012 draft pick Jayron Hosley also has a new role as the team's nickel back with both Walter Thurmond and Trumaine McBride both on the season ending IR.
Injury Report
Dallas Cowboys
Full Practice
- Dez Bryant, WR - Back
- DeMarco Murray, RB - Illness
- Tony Romo, QB - Back
- Tyron Smith, T – Ankle
Limited Practice
- Jeremy Parnell, T - Chest
- Anthony Spencer, DE - Knee
Did Not Practice
- Bruce Carter, OLB - Thigh
- Jack Crawford, DE - Calf
- Doug Free, T - Foot
- Rolando McClain, MLB - Personal
New York Giants
Limited Practice
- Spencer Paysinger, LB - Hamstring
Did Not Practice
- Rashad Jennings, RB - Knee
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB – Ankle, Hamstring
For more Cowboys news and updates, visit Cowboys Central.
Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.