Cardinals, Cowboys Rule Key Players Out in Week 3

TEMPE -- The Arizona Cardinals were without four defensive starters in their 31-28 loss against the New York Giants last week: Budda Baker, Leki Fotu, Josh Woods and L.J. Collier.

They'll again be shorthanded on that side of the ball when the Dallas Cowboys come to town.

The Cardinals have ruled out LB Josh Woods and DL Carlos Watkins for Week 3's meeting against Dallas. Along with those names, the Cardinals previously placed Baker and Collier on injured reserve.

In a bit of good news, the Cardinals hope to welcome back Fotu in a large mix of rotating defensive players as 13 guys in the front seven played at least ten snaps last week. OL Kelvin Beachum is good to go after practicing all three days this week.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said it will be a team effort once again along the defensive line:

“It’s just like with Budda, the next guys got to get up and ready to play, but I feel good about those guys going in. I thought (DL Eric) Banks and (DL Dante) Stills played pretty well. Then with Carlos going out in the game we were a little short there because we like to play with five, but I like the five that’ll be up. (DL) Leki (Fotu) we’ll get him back. He’ll be out there today so that’ll help us, but I feel good about them.”

Friday's injury report:

Cardinals-Cowboys Injury Report

The Cowboys saw one of their best players in CB Trevon Diggs go down with a torn ACL yesterday, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Dallas expects to utilize DaRon Bland on the outside, Jourdan Lewis on the inside and Noah Igbinoghene as a depth piece according to Jane Slater.

Two more Cowboys in Tyler Biadasz and Zack Martin are questionable while five players were fully removed from the injury report and will play vs Arizona.

Inactives will officially be announced 90 minutes before game time, though both squads won't be at full strength on Sunday.