Cowboys inactive roster for Monday Night Football game vs. Texans

Injuries are a story every week in the NFL, but you’d be hard-pressed to name a team that has had worse injury luck this season than the Dallas Cowboys. Somehow, their injury report in Week 11 was the longest of the year.

A total of 19 players were on the Cowboys’ last injury report. We learned that cornerback DaRon Bland is still not ready to make his season debut. The team insists Bland will be the closer, but you have to wonder if they should shut him down for the year.

In addition, nickel corner Jourdan Lewis is out with a neck injury. Lewis was confused in last week’s loss to the Eagles. He’s arguably been Dallas’ defensive MVP this season, so he’s a big loss against a Houston Texans offense that will welcome back star receiver Nico Collins.

Even more alarmingly, CeeDee Lamb appeared on the injury report at the end of the week with a back injury. Lam is doubtful, though NFL Network insider Jane Slater reported that Lamb is moving toward playing on Monday night football.

The Cowboys made a slew of roster moves Monday, including officially placing Dak Prescott on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, they signed cornerback Josh Butler to the active roster and elevated CB Kemon Hall and tight end Princeton Fant to the game.

READ MORE: Cowboys make most predictable QB signing ever after Dak Prescott injury

It’s no surprise that fullback Hunter Luepke is inactive. Luepke did not practice all week due to a calf injury and was listed as questionable. The second-year pro has played 98 special teams snaps and 192 offensive snaps this season.

The Cowboys also listed guard Zack Martin as questionable with a shoulder. Martin has apparently been battling this injury for several weeks. The All-Pro didn’t practice Thursday but was a limited participant Friday and Saturday, but he’s good to go.

If there’s a positive takeaway, it’s that Micah Parsons (ankle), DeMarvion Overshown (knee) and Trevon Diggs (calf) were all removed from the injury report.

The Texans’ defense will be without two starters in edge rusher Will Anderson and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, but they promoted cornerback Jeff Okudah from injured reserve.

The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Anderson collected 7.5 sacks and 37 pressures in nine games before his ankle injury. His absence means Dallas can focus more attention on Danielle Hunter, who ranks ninth in the league with an 18.2% pass-rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Despite injuries, the odds are stacked against the Cowboys tonight. The Texans have been up and down this season, but the return of Nico Collins should make all the difference for quarterback CJ Stroud as they look to extend Dallas’ losing streak at AT&T Stadium.

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