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If you’re looking to receive treatment from the Dallas Cowboys athletic training staff these days, you’ll have to take a number.
The injury bug has taken up permanent residence in Valley Ranch early in this season. And Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints, the Cowboys defense could look like a shell of its already-suspect self when it takes on one of the most ruthless passing attacks in the National Football League.
The Dallas front seven has suffered the most from ailing starters. The worst-case scenario for the Cowboys this weekend could see them without five of the team's stalwarts across the defensive line and linebacking corps.
Interior linemen Henry Melton and Terrell McClain both sustained injuries in last Sunday's win over the Rams that make them doubts for the New Orleans matchup. Linebackers Justin Durant and Rolando McClain were both sidelined against St. Louis, and edge rusher Anthony Spencer hasn't played a down of football in over a year.
But with each day of practice this week, the level of optimism has risen for the banged-up Dallas defense.
As reported by DallasCowboys.com's Rowan Kavner, Melton and both McClains practiced on Friday for the first time all week. Spencer and Durant have both been participants, at least on a limited basis, throughout the days leading up to the game, and the duo looks set to return to the lineup Sunday.
Which is good because Dallas will need all the help it can get.
In spite of their 1-2 record, the Saints rank fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game.
In a vacuum, that stat looks like a caution to the Dallas secondary. But upon sliding down the tip of the iceberg, the Cowboys' need for a healthy front seven becomes glaring.
Of the three leading pass catchers for New Orleans, only one is a wide receiver.
A rookie wide receiver.
Tight end and all-around freak of nature Jimmy Graham leads the Saints with 24 receptions, followed by first-year pro wideout Brandin Cooks and running back Pierre Thomas with 18 and 12 grabs respectively.
To account for the matchup nightmare Graham brings to the table and the pass-catching threat out of the New Orleans backfield, Dallas will need its full complement of linebackers and a defensive line that can at least make Drew Brees consider the threat of being sacked.
In a press conference, head coach Jason Garrett extended a plea for his defense to pressure the Saints' future Hall of Famer.
Somehow, some way, you have to affect the other team's quarterback, and certainly a quarterback as good as Drew Brees. If you don't affect him in some way, he's going to have a real good day against you. And he's done that throughout his career.
Garrett has every right to be concerned.
In recent history, New Orleans has treated Dallas like a junior varsity team. Just last year, Brees carved up the Cowboys defense for 392 yards and three touchdowns on the way to a 49-17 win.
The 40 first downs the Saints made in that game are an NFL record.
Sunday, Brees will face a Dallas secondary that experienced some personnel turnover of its own that you won't find on the injury list. Cornerback Morris Claiborne—who ESPN's Tim MacMahon recently called the "biggest bust in Cowboys history"—is recovering from a bruised ego after being relegated to the second team in favor of Orlando Scandrick.
Claiborne should still see playing time off the bench for Dallas, and in all likelihood, he'll be joined on the dress list by at least Durant and Hatcher.
But it will still be the Cowboys offense serving as the judge, jury and executioner in the case of Dallas' season.
Tony Romo still has an aching back and Dez Bryant's shoulder isn't exactly where it's supposed to be, but both Cowboys are in the reckoning for Sunday's matchup.
They'll be tasked with keeping Drew Brees and the Saints offense on the sidelines Sunday night while the Dallas athletic trainers dispense miles of ankle tape on the Cowboys defense.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...
The injury bug has taken up permanent residence in Valley Ranch early in this season. And Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints, the Cowboys defense could look like a shell of its already-suspect self when it takes on one of the most ruthless passing attacks in the National Football League.
The Dallas front seven has suffered the most from ailing starters. The worst-case scenario for the Cowboys this weekend could see them without five of the team's stalwarts across the defensive line and linebacking corps.
Interior linemen Henry Melton and Terrell McClain both sustained injuries in last Sunday's win over the Rams that make them doubts for the New Orleans matchup. Linebackers Justin Durant and Rolando McClain were both sidelined against St. Louis, and edge rusher Anthony Spencer hasn't played a down of football in over a year.
But with each day of practice this week, the level of optimism has risen for the banged-up Dallas defense.
As reported by DallasCowboys.com's Rowan Kavner, Melton and both McClains practiced on Friday for the first time all week. Spencer and Durant have both been participants, at least on a limited basis, throughout the days leading up to the game, and the duo looks set to return to the lineup Sunday.
Which is good because Dallas will need all the help it can get.
In spite of their 1-2 record, the Saints rank fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game.
In a vacuum, that stat looks like a caution to the Dallas secondary. But upon sliding down the tip of the iceberg, the Cowboys' need for a healthy front seven becomes glaring.
Of the three leading pass catchers for New Orleans, only one is a wide receiver.
A rookie wide receiver.
Tight end and all-around freak of nature Jimmy Graham leads the Saints with 24 receptions, followed by first-year pro wideout Brandin Cooks and running back Pierre Thomas with 18 and 12 grabs respectively.
To account for the matchup nightmare Graham brings to the table and the pass-catching threat out of the New Orleans backfield, Dallas will need its full complement of linebackers and a defensive line that can at least make Drew Brees consider the threat of being sacked.
In a press conference, head coach Jason Garrett extended a plea for his defense to pressure the Saints' future Hall of Famer.
Somehow, some way, you have to affect the other team's quarterback, and certainly a quarterback as good as Drew Brees. If you don't affect him in some way, he's going to have a real good day against you. And he's done that throughout his career.
Garrett has every right to be concerned.
In recent history, New Orleans has treated Dallas like a junior varsity team. Just last year, Brees carved up the Cowboys defense for 392 yards and three touchdowns on the way to a 49-17 win.
The 40 first downs the Saints made in that game are an NFL record.
Sunday, Brees will face a Dallas secondary that experienced some personnel turnover of its own that you won't find on the injury list. Cornerback Morris Claiborne—who ESPN's Tim MacMahon recently called the "biggest bust in Cowboys history"—is recovering from a bruised ego after being relegated to the second team in favor of Orlando Scandrick.
Claiborne should still see playing time off the bench for Dallas, and in all likelihood, he'll be joined on the dress list by at least Durant and Hatcher.
But it will still be the Cowboys offense serving as the judge, jury and executioner in the case of Dallas' season.
Tony Romo still has an aching back and Dez Bryant's shoulder isn't exactly where it's supposed to be, but both Cowboys are in the reckoning for Sunday's matchup.
They'll be tasked with keeping Drew Brees and the Saints offense on the sidelines Sunday night while the Dallas athletic trainers dispense miles of ankle tape on the Cowboys defense.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
Continue reading...