Dallas Cowboys Week 13 Injury Report: Cowboys' Defensive Injuries Building Up
By Shawn Lealos
The Dallas Cowboys enter their second straight Thursday Night Football game, this time against the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys have a chance to become the first team to clinch a playoff spot if they can win in Week 13 and if one of two other teams lose their games on Sunday. However, the Cowboys will be without key defensive contributors against the Vikings. Here is a look at the Dallas Cowboys' Week 13 injury report.
Cowboys Defensive Secondary Loses Another Starter
The Cowboys have been without safety Barry Church and cornerback Morris Claiborne for a few weeks now but have managed to get by with their replacements. However, the Cowboys have lost their other starting safety in J.J. Wilcox heading into the Vikings game. Wilcox suffered a deep thigh bruise in the game against Washington last week and he will not play against the Vikings.
Barry Church returning Following Surgery
The good news is that Barry Church should be back after undergoing surgery on a fractured forearm. Dallas kept Church off the injured reserve in hopes he would return, and he will be back with a cast protecting the arm. However, cornerback Morris Claiborne will miss another game, though things look positive for his return later in the season. Dallas also lost linebacker Justin Durant for this game with a strained hamstring, leaving them short at linebacker. Sean Lee missed time this week with an illness but will play.
Minnesota Vikings Starting Injured Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford has remained relatively healthy after years of injuries behind weak offensive lines. However, things finally caught up with the former first round draft pick and he will play against Dallas with an injured ankle. The good news for Bradford is that the Cowboys are one of the worst teams in the NFL when it comes to pressuring the quarterback, ranking 25th in quarterback sacks.
The most important player to get back on the field is wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The speedy wideout leads Minnesota in receptions and yards, but has missed games thanks to a knee injury. He was back at practice on Wednesday in full and hopes to play on Thursday night against Dallas. While not as important, another name Dallas fans might recognize is former Cowboys' cornerback Terence Newman, who is also questionable this week for Minnesota.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Report
Questionable:
- (SS) Barry Church (Forearm) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (DE) Jack Crawford (Foot) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (DT) David Irving (Illness) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (DE) Demarcus Lawrence (Back) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (DT) Terrell McClain (Thigh) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (T) Tyron Smith (Back/Hip) - Limited Participation in Practice
- (OLB) Sean Lee (Illness) - Full Participation in Practice
Out:
- (CB) Morris Claiborne (Groin) — Did Not Participate In Practice
- (LB) Justin Durant (Hamstring) — Did Not Participate In Practice
- (OT) Chaz Green (Back) — Did Not Participate In Practice
- (SS) J.J. Wilcox (Thigh) — Did Not Participate In Practice
