Roster Boost: 5 Pro Bowl Moves That Can Spark Cowboys’ Weaknesses and…
It is a credit to the (previously?) beleaguered Dallas Cowboys that they have crawled their way up from coach Mike McCarthy’s “Valley of Adversity” to register two straight wins, including having earned a win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving.
That has moved them to 5-7 and given them playoff hope (or, “false hope,” in the eyes of old friend Jimmy Johnson). … and along with an increase in “hope,” there is about to be an increase in “help.”
What if a Cowboys team on a confidence-building 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?
1. DeMarcus Lawrence – Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 protocol and return to play.
And if this quintet of standout players can work its way back to the field? The rise in help and the rise in health figures to also lift up the Cowboys hope of beating the Bengals and continuing their unlikely push toward contention.
