FRISCO, Texas – Not only will the Dallas Cowboys be without leading passer Micah Parsons for a second straight game due to a sprained left ankle, they will also be without tackle Eric Kendricks against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Kendricks was ruled out Friday with shoulder and calf injuries after not practicing during the week. The Cowboys will take October 20 off and return to action on October 27 against the San Francisco 49ers, and hopefully Kendricks will be ready to return.
Kendricks, credited with 52 tackles, has played 91.1% of snaps this season. He also has 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 3 quarterback pressures, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 2 pass deflections.
“He’s our quarterback,” coach Mike McCarthy said of Kendricks’ importance to the defense earlier in the week. “He knows [the defense] inside and out. As far as leadership goes, the communication is exceptional and frankly, he has so much experience in this defense. Super instinctive. Very aware. Very, very disciplined player.”
Kendricks’ potential replacement, Nick Vigil, is doubtful due to a foot injury that kept him out of practice this week. The Cowboys have another practice Saturday, so if Vigil can make it through without issue, he could play against the Lions.
With Kendricks out, expect the Cowboys to elevate linebacker Darius Harris from the practice squad on Saturday.
The Cowboys defense has been hit hard by injuries recently. In addition to Parsons’ injury in Week 4 against the New York Giants, they lost DeMarcus Lawrence to a foot injury that has since placed him on injured reserve. Last week, rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland suffered a knee injury after four snaps and required surgery on his right knee, which placed him on injured reserve.
With Kneeland out, the Cowboys added Carl Lawson to the 53-man practice squad roster this week and prepared KJ Henry for action after joining the team last week.
It’s not all bad news for the defense. Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland, who led the NFL last year with nine interceptions and set a league record with five returns for a touchdown, could make his season debut after missing the first five games due to foot surgery. He is officially questionable after taking practice this week.
Additionally, Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs was in the building Friday after missing Thursday’s practice due to illness and carries no injury designation.
