The Dallas Cowboys are staring down a tough road as injuries continue to pile up in a season already filled with setbacks. After falling to the Houston Texans in a lopsided 34-10 defeat on Monday, their fifth-straight loss, the Cowboys are now 3-7 and far removed from playoff contention. Their struggles come amid a string of injuries to key players that have disrupted the team’s rhythm and weakened their depth.
Adding to the frustration, the Cowboys lost quarterback Dak Prescott for the season earlier this month due to a hamstring injury sustained against the Atlanta Falcons. Backup Cooper Rush has taken the reins, but the offense is struggling to find consistency without its leader. Meanwhile, a daunting matchup against the 7-4 Washington Commanders looms this Sunday, leaving little room for error.
Houston Texans mascot shows no mercy to the Dallas Cowboys after America’s team got beat down hard
On Wednesday, the Cowboys’ injury woes deepened as two cornerstone offensive linemen-right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith-missed practice. Martin is nursing an ankle and shoulder issue, while Smith is sidelined with ankle and knee injuries. Their absence raises questions about the stability of a line critical to protecting Rush and opening up running lanes in an already struggling offense.
The injury report didn’t stop there. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was limited in practice due to back and foot injuries, while Brandin Cooks, another key wideout, is managing a knee issue. This series of ailments casts a shadow over the team’s ability to rebound against a Commanders squad that’s pushing for a playoff berth.
Cowboys face emotional and physical challenges as Commanders eye playoff push
For Dallas, the challenges are more than physical. The emotional toll of a season spiraling toward irrelevance has begun to show. With a record that puts them closer to the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft than to a postseason berth, the Cowboys are playing for pride-and potentially, their jobs.
The Commanders, by contrast, are on an upward trajectory. With a 7-4 record, Washington is firmly in the hunt for the playoffs and aims to solidify its position with a win against their division rivals. Sunday’s game marks the first of two meetings between these teams, with the rematch scheduled for January 5 in Dallas.
Despite the bleak outlook, the Cowboys insist they’re not giving up on the season. “We’ve got to play for each other,” said Rush earlier this week. “No one’s going to feel sorry for us, so we’ve got to figure it out.” Whether or not the team can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but a victory against Washington would serve as a small glimmer of hope in an otherwise dismal campaign.
Kickoff for Sunday’s game at FedExField is set for 1 p.m. ET.