Dallas Cowboys’ Damaging Injuries Will Force Others to Step Up

The Dallas Cowboys could have won Week 1 at Philadelphia but lost to the defending champions 24-21. They needed clutch play from Brandon Aubrey in Week 2 to defeat the New York Giants in overtime 40-37. And they were dominated on the road in Week 3 to the tune of 31-14. 

The Cowboys sit at 1-2, the same record as the Baltimore Ravens. But unlike a team like the Ravens, the Cowboys don’t have the all around talent on both sides. The Cowboys’ 1-2 feels a bit different, more like they won’t recover and are headed for the abyss than they will recover and be alright in 2025. 

That uncomfortable feeling that they are heading somewhere gloomy starts with the poor defense and ends with the current injuries. Both ailments are high ankle sprains. One is to superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb. The other is to the impressive rookie right guard Tyler Booker. Lamb could miss 3-4 weeks and Booker is out 4-6 weeks. T.J. Bass is set to fill in for Booker. George Pickens’ usage and dependency will see a heavy increase going forward in the absence of Lamb. The Cowboys dealt a third and a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 24-year-old, 6 foot, 3 inch and 200 pound wideout. He will flash his talent now. 

Also getting increased chances are Jalen Tolbert and returner KaVonte Turpin, whose usage will increase. Ryan Flournoy, a sixth-round draft choice of the Cowboys in 2024, also figures to get a little more involvement. Jonathan Mingo, on injured reserve with a knee injury, can begin practicing next week. Traeshon Holden, undrafted out of Oregon, had a strong training camp and could get called up from the practice squad. 

Booker’s injury is a tough one for an offensive line unit that has been solid through three games. Running back Javonte Williams is a violent runner that fits the old “Marty Ball” scheme of Cowboy head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s dad who back in the day employed the likes of Christian Okoye to be his bell cow in Kansas City. The Cowboy offensive line plays with aggressiveness, too, and fits that nastiness. A key component to that is Booker, who plays with a no-nonsense style. The Cowboy running game ranks 10th in the NFL at 125.0 rushing yards per game. The team’s 5.4 yards per carry are second to the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys’ four rushing touchdowns are fourth across the NFL. 

On a positive note heading into Week 4’s Sunday night clash against the Green Bay Packers, cornerback DaRon Bland could return from his foot injury that caused him to miss Week 3. The defense is in desperate need of help on the back end. They are also in need of help rushing the passer, and Jadeveon Clowney will help in that area. 

Still, it is less than ideal to have key injuries early in the season to two of your top offensive players, which is what this team has with Lamb and Booker. Let’s see who steps up.