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By Jake "Star" Whitfield, RF Sports Radio Cowboys voice
Cowboys Nation, the first injury report of the week usually puts people to sleep. Not this one. Thursday told us the Dallas secondary is getting healthier, the Philadelphia passing game is getting thinner, and there is one shoulder in the Cowboys' receiver room everybody needs to watch.
The facts
On Dallas' first practice report for Monday night, receiver George Pickens (shoulder) and left tackle Tyler Guyton (calf) were limited, per DallasCowboys.com. The bigger news was at cornerback: Cobie Durant (hamstring) practiced for the first time since he got hurt in Week 2 against Washington, also limited. DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) was a full participant, which puts him on track to play. Outside linebacker Marist Liufau had his 21-day practice window opened and was limited as he returns from forearm surgery.
Four Cowboys did not practice: Von Miller (veteran rest), tackle Drew Shelton (hamstring), KaVontae Turpin (ribs) and linebacker Dee Winters, listed with a calf injury. Joey Porter Jr. (ankle), safety Alijah Clark and corner Ameer Speed were full, per the official report.
Philadelphia's list was longer. The Eagles listed 24 players, with six who did not practice, per USA TODAY's Eagles Wire: receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), edge Nolan Smith (concussion), lineman Willie Lampkin (illness) and safety Michael Carter II (abdomen). Saquon Barkley was limited with his hamstring after missing two games, and NBC10 reports Philly's backup running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are both on injured reserve. The Eagles are trying to end a four-game losing streak with Tanner McKee at quarterback. Both teams are 2-4.
RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)
My take: Durant on the practice field matters more than any headline this week. This secondary has been held together with tape since September. Getting a real corner back, plus Overshown at linebacker, gives Christian Parker options he has not had in a month. No more excuses about who is available.
Pickens is the one I am watching. Limited on a Thursday is not panic, but this offense has scored 29 points in two games. Without him stretching the field, CeeDee Lamb sees doubles all night.
Now look at Philly. If Smith, Wicks and Goedert are all limited or out, McKee is throwing to a patchwork group behind a line that lost Lane Johnson. That is the exact matchup where a Dallas pass rush should eat. And if Barkley plays at less than 100 percent, Dallas has to make Philadelphia one-dimensional early.
My call: still Cowboys 24, Eagles 17. That is a prediction, not a report. Thursday's report only made me more confident.
What to watch next
Friday and Saturday practice reports, then game designations. Watch Pickens' status, whether Durant goes full, and DeVonta Smith's hamstring. Kickoff is Monday at 7:15 p.m. Central. For Jerry Jones' coaching stance, read our Oct. 22 Cowboys column on Jerry Jones closing the coaching door, and follow the Dallas Cowboys page.
Radio question: what matters more Monday night, Cobie Durant back at corner or Philadelphia possibly missing three pass catchers?
Sources: DallasCowboys.com — Updates: Pickens, Guyton on injury report; DallasCowboys.com — Official injury report; USA TODAY Eagles Wire — Eagles injury report: six sit out, eight limited ahead of Dallas; NBC10 Philadelphia — Saquon Barkley returns to practice; DallasCowboys.com — Big Picture: 10 storylines for Cowboys and Eagles; SI Cowboys On SI — Cowboys injury report vs. Eagles.
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