Shockingly positive news at Cowboys practice for OTs Tyron Smith and La'el Collins
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys moved inside to Ford Center to practice here at The Star, as is their Thursday custom. But they did so with at least a slight upgrade on the health of starting tackles Tyron Smith and La'el Collins - in a welcome-but-unexpected advance of what was to be "customary.''
Call it a "shockingly positive sign'' for the Cowboys. Smith (ankle) and Collins (knee) participated at a level far above what was expected just an hour earlier, when coach Jason Garrett downplayed what they'd be able to do. Indeed, just before Garrett's 10:30 a.m. presser we wrote this detailed look at all the problems Dallas is having conducting a normal practice due to its injury list, and continued to report that the Cowboys are anticipating having neither tackle available for Sunday night's visit from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Has that status changed? Not necessarily. Is all the O-line news good news? Not at all, as another starter, guard Zack Martin, was absent today with what we'll assume is maintenance for his sore back. (Backup center Joe Looney is also absent.)
Meanwhile, predictably, wide receivers Amari Cooper (quadriceps) and Randall Cobb (back) were not on the field during the media-open portion of practice, a repeat of their Wednesday status. We're told there is still hope that Cobb plays on Sunday ... but not much hope for Cooper.
Cornerbacks Byron Jones and Anthony Brown are both absent as well, each of them dealing with hamstring injuries.
