Redskins secondary hurting in major way ahead of Sunday's Cowboys tilt

Washington may need their reserves to step up to keep the Dallas offense bottled up.

The Dallas Cowboys have a blueprint they need to follow to find success against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. Cowboys Wire's Joey Ickes broke down what was successful for the Philadelphia Eagles and how that looks within the parameters of Kellen Moore's offense.

Now comes word things may be tougher to corral than expected. At his press conference on Thursday, Washington head coach Jay Gruden outlined a myriad of injuries to his team's secondary that could cause major headaches with Dallas' new-found affection for the passing game.

While most of the national attention is on Derrius Guice and his knee surgery, the hurting secondary will be a big factor as well.

Starting cornerback Quinton Dunbar (knee) and starting free safety Montae Nicholson (foot) are hobbled, along with slot corner Fabian Moreau (ankle).

Corner Quinton Dunbar did not practice because of a sore knee. Cornwr Fabian Moreau was limited with his ankle injury tho he did more than Wed. Gruden called Friday a “big day” to know more about the injuries.

— John Keim (@john_keim) September 12, 2019

Preseason sensation and seventh-round rookie Jimmy Moreland was primarily planned to be Moreau's replacement as he was in Week 1, but with he and Dunbar hobbled, the James Madison product could see himself on the outside more.

Gruden said the #Redskins anticipated Jimmy Moreland playing full-time nickel in Week 1.

Based on injury concerns, however, Gruden said Moreland may also play outside against the Cowboys.

— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) September 12, 2019

Dallas enters the contest after a stunning Week 1 performance where they used an abundance of pre-snap motion, run-pass options and play-action fakes to befuddle the New York Giants.

Free safety Troy Apke and veteran DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could see extended action should the injured three DBs fail to dress for the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

As for the Cowboys, one of their wideouts who could best test the injured secondary, Tavon Austin, didn't practice for the second day in a row due to concussion symptoms.

Here's a look at the full practice report for both teams.

Thursday’s practice report. Tyrone Crawford upgraded to limited, everything else stayed the same.

For Washington, Quinton Dunbar was downgraded to a DNP #cowboyswire pic.twitter.com/23Afz2FoeF

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) September 12, 2019