The Dallas Cowboys are underdogs in Week 2 as they prepare to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Both teams are searching for their first win of the season. The Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 19-3 in Week 1, and the Bengals suffered a 23-20 overtime defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both Dallas and Cincinnati have some key players listed on its injury reports heading into the matchup. Here are the players battling injuries for each team:
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- Dak Prescott underwent surgery earlier this week to repair a fractured thumb suffered against the Buccaneers. After the game, it was expected that Dallas would place Prescott on injured reserve, but Jerry Jones has since come out and said Prescott could avoid the IR and return within four weeks. Starting in his place is veteran Cooper Rush.
- Left guard Connor McGovern suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that is likely to sideline him for a few weeks. McGovern didn’t practice on Thursday, and no specific timetable is set for his return. Tyler Biadasz played in McGovern’s absence against the Buccaneers, and the third-year offensive lineman is expected to start against the Bengals.
- Safety Jayron Kearse injured his knee mid-way through the game against Tampa Bay and didn’t return to action. Kearse is expected to miss two to four weeks while recovering from the injury. Second-year safety Israel Mukuamu is expected to start at strong safety in the meantime.
- Defensive end Tarell Basham left during Sunday’s game with a thigh bruise and didn’t return to the game. Basham was absent from practice yesterday and is expected to sit again in Week 2 against Cincinnati.
Bengals could be without a top WR
- Wide receiver Tee Higgins was concussed in Week 1 and didn’t practice Thursday for personal reasons unrelated to the injury. Higgins is questionable to play against Dallas on Sunday. The third-year receiver had the second-most receiving yards for Cincinnati last season.
- Defensive end Trey Hendrickson is dealing with a back injury but was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Hendrickson is likely to suit up Sunday afternoon in Dallas. He led the Bengals with 14 sacks a season ago.
- Tight end Hayden Hurst has a groin injury but practiced fully the past two days and is expected to suit up against the Cowboys. Hurst is Cincinnati’s top option at tight end, and he reeled in five catches for 46 yards in Week 1.
- Right guard Alex Cappa was on the Bengals injury report with a knee injury, but was a full participant in the last two practices and is expected to play against Dallas.
- Rookie left guard Cordell Volson is dealing with a hip injury, but is expected to suit up in Week 2.
- Cornerback Tre Flowers was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday despite pain in his ankle. Flowers is expected to be active on Sunday.
- Defensive tackle Josh Tupou sat out of Wednesday’s practice due to a shin injury, but was a limited participant on Thursday. Tupou’s status against the Cowboys is questionable.
- Wide receiver and punt returner Trent Taylor was held out of Wednesday’s practice because of a hamstring injury, but returned on Thursday in a limited capacity. Taylor is questionable to play in Week 2.
- Tight end Devin Asiasi was a limited participant in the last two practices due to a quad injury and it’s unclear if he’ll suit up against the Cowboys.
