Dallas Cowboys looking thin at safety heading into must-win game
The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with several injuries in the secondary ahead of a must-win game in Week 17.
The Dallas Cowboys can still clinch the NFC East crown at 7-9 this Sunday with a win over the New York Giants and a Washington loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in primetime.
One problem this time of year for teams is injuries. That is true with the Cowboys in 2020, and players all over the defense are just trying to get healthy enough to play in Sunday’s must-win game. Safety is a particular point of concern.
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring, groin) and safety Xavier Woods (ribs) were limited in practice while safety Darian Thompson (concussion), linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (ankle), cornerback Rashard Robinson (knee) and safety Donovan Wilson... https://t.co/gm1I54VZjY
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 30, 2020
Cowboys safeties dealing with assorted injuries
Xavier Woods was limited in practice, and neither Darian Thompson nor Donovan Wilson practiced at all. Thompson’s concussion is a major concern, and of course, Wilson being out with an illness raises eyebrows in 2020.
Woods didn’t play this past Sunday and the Cowboys had to get creative once Thompson went down.
Cowboys rookie S Reggie Robinson could be one play away from his first defensive snaps of season. S Xavier Woods (ribs) is inactive. In pregame warmups, Donovan Wilson and Darian Thompson handled first-team reps. Robinson and Thompson the safeties on second-team unit.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 27, 2020
Steven Parker is one player who can step in if needed. He has been activated from injured reserve and has appeared in seven games this season. The alternative is rolling with cornerbacks at the safety spot if the top three guys remain out.
Pass defense has not been the killer for the Cowboys in 2020. The problem is owning the worst run defense in the league by a wide margin. Dallas allows just over 161 rushing yards per game. The Houston Texans are the next-closest team at 151.7 per game.
Woods at least participating at practice is a good sign, and one other positive is that the Giants didn’t exactly dominate on offense the first time these two teams met.
That came back in Week 5, and it was the day Dak Prescott was lost for the season. The Giants did score 34, but had 14 points from the kickers and added a pick-six. Dallas also managed to score 37 points in what was an emotional game.
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New York will enter Sunday with a banged-up Daniel Jones, so who knows if the Cowboys missing some defenders will be a huge factor? It’s still something to keep an eye on though, and fans will be eagerly checking social media for updates on Woods and the others over the holiday.