Cowboys Injury Update From Inside The Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Fisher | Last updated Dec 5, 2024 7:03 AM ET

FRISCO - If the Dallas Cowboys are really to climb their way out of coach Mike McCarthy's "Valley of Adversity,'' good health figures to be a key. And that's what "America's Team'' is hoping for this week from here inside The Star with the latest injury update.

Dallas is 5-7 and has playoff hope (or, "false hope,'' in the eyes of old friend Jimmy Johnson). ... and on Tuesday is inching toward a key to chasing that goal.

What if a Cowboys team on a confidence-building two-game win streak suddenly gets a talent injection from a notable total of five Pro Bowl players returning to full health the roster?

That's what could happen between now and next Monday, when after an 11-day rest, Dallas plays host to the Cincinnati Bengals on "Monday Night Football.'' The five guys in question?

First, the Wednesday injury news from what we've gathered from the Cowboys indoor workout do to rainy Frisco weather ...

And now those five guys ...

1. DeMarcus Lawrence - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had said Dallas will “more than likely,” have defensive end Lawrence back for that game as he can come off injured reserve as he works through a foot injury sustained in Week 4. Lawrence - set to be a free agent after this season and therefore doubly motivated - before the injury racked up 14 tackles, five quarterback hits and three sacks in his month of play.

Problem? Jerry jumped the gun. As of Wednesday, Tank still hasn't had his 21-day window to return to the roster opened.

2. Trevon Diggs - The All-Pro playmaking cornerback has been a partial participant in practice in recent weeks but has been unable to go in the wins over Washington and New York. He'd just recovered from a calf problem when he hurt his groin and his knee.

Diggs did appear to work on Wednesday.

3. CeeDee Lamb - The All-Pro receiver has been trying to play as he deals with a variety of issues, including him dealing with a shoulder injury that was painful enough that he exited the Giants game.

"By the time we get these extra days between Thanksgiving and next game, I think Lamb will be ready to go,'' Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.

Lamb was at best a partial participant on Wednesday.

4. Zack Martin - Up until this month, the future Hall of Fame guard had missed 11 games in 11 years. But in what could be his final season as he contemplates retirement, he's sat out the two wins with problems with both ankles and a shoulder. Martin will surely be doing all he can to fight his way back on the field for the stretch run.

But on this day? Not a go.

5. Jake Ferguson - The tight end, a Pro Bowler a year ago, was ruled out of the Monday loss to the the Houston Texans three games ago and has yet to return. The hope is that he can clear concussion protocol and return to play. ... and we're told he did do some work on Wednesday.

If the Cowboys are now no longer a "bad'' team but rather just one fighting "adversity''? Logic says a boost from five standout players might make this a "good'' team in the season-closing stretch. But right now, that quintet isn't yet ready to roll.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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