Cowboys at 49ers: Is Dallas Healthy Enough to Win a 'Street Fight'?
The Dallas Cowboys have released the injury report from Thursday's practice ahead of Sunday's Week 5 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers ... while also reflecting back on two recent playoff failures against the Niners in "street fight'' terms.
First, here's the injury report:
These players did not practice
- TE Peyton Hendershot (Ankle)
These players were limited participants
- LB Damone Clark (Shoulder)
- S Malik Hooker (Shoulder)
- LB Micah Parsons (Knee)
Full participants
- RB Rico Dowdle (Hip)
- OL Chuma Edoga (Knee)
- WR CeeDee Lamb (NIR-Rest/Knee)
- G Zach Martin (NIR-Rest/Thigh)
- T Tyron Smith (NIR-Rest/Knee)
Now to the "street fight'' ... The rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys is among the best in the NFL. In each of the last two seasons, Dallas and San Francisco have faced off in the playoffs... and in each of the last two seasons, the 49ers have sent the Cowboys packing.
Niners vs. Cowboys
So what can the Cowboys do to avoid another disappointment at the hands of their rival from the West?
Offensive line injuries have been a big question for the Cowboys this season and could have been even more of a problem when lining up against Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and company.
However, getting key players back at practice, such as veteran offensive linemen Zach Martin and Tyron Smith - two of the best at their respective positions when healthy - gives fans a bit of relief.
Another big part of this team potentially back is star linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons has two or more sacks in 10 outings, the most in Cowboys history through 37 career games.
With most of his experience at tackle, Chuma Edoga brings some versatility back to this O-line as he has played multiple positions, including left guard in place of Tyler Smith. Edoga's ability to play wherever on the line is big for this struggling area and gives some options if need be.
It's a stout Cowboys defense that leads the NFL in defensive touchdowns vs. a strong 49ers offense led by running back and possible MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey. .. and kickoff is Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
This is not all about what happened last year,'' Dallas coach Mike McCarthy insisted. "This is not walking down the street and you get in a fight with a guy, you come out on the short end and then every time you turn the corner you’re looking for him. This is about winning the game.''
Sure. But in even using the "street fight'' analogy, McCarthy - himself a tough kid from a hard-scrabble Pittsburgh neighborhood whose dad was both a bar owner and cop, meaning he knows something about such thing - is revealing that he's got the analogy in his head.
And Dallas at San Francisco is absolutely a "street fight.''
