Dallas lost its heart in the Week 9 win, and now the team faces a brutal reality check. This is not a minor setback; it is a direct hit to the offense right before a tough matchup with the 49ers. The Cowboys won on Sunday, but the cost of that victory just got much higher. In the game versus the Colts, Goodson recorded 77 yards on 12 carries for a career high, yet he sustained a knee injury during the second quarter. Ferguson, who has four touchdown catches this season, took an awkward hit and grabbed his knee in the third quarter. He stayed on the sideline with his knee taped but never returned to the game.
The Roster Math Does Not Look Good
The team has very little room to maneuver on the roster. Dallas has only one slot left on the injured reserve designated-to-return list after placing seven players there. If Ferguson or Goodson get moved to injured reserve, they must miss at least four games. This leaves the coaching staff with a thin group of backs behind starter Javonte Williams. Fullback Hunter Luepke is the only other player on the active 53-man roster to help in that spot. Israel Abanikanda and Jashaun Corbin remain on the practice squad, but they are not the same as having a proven second option ready to go. Coach Schottenheimer admitted the situation is tight, noting that “There’s a lot of different ways to do it” regarding the running back breakdowns, according to ESPN.
The loss of Goodson stings because he has been playing with high energy. Schottenheimer praised the young runner, stating, “A lot of these guys, they play on adrenaline and this is a guy that has been incredible for us really the last two weeks”, according to ESPN. The coach also confirmed that defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku has an ankle sprain, adding to the list of bodies in the training room. With safety PJ Locke unavailable this week as well, the secondary is left shorthanded.
Waiting Game for Other Stars
Several other key players are in a waiting period before they can play. The team will evaluate linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and receivers Jonathan Mingo, Kavontae Turpin, George Pickens, and Joey Porter Jr. later in the week. Schottenheimer told reporters, “Most everybody else, we’ll see how they do [later in the week]”, according to A to Z Sports. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker, who has missed the last two games with a groin injury, is expected to return this week to help fill the void left by Ferguson. The Cowboys will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 15, at AT&T Stadium, and they need every healthy body they can get.
