The Dallas Cowboys are riding high after a thrilling 20-17 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but not without some setbacks. While fans are celebrating the victory, the injury bug continues to bite, with key players going down. On the flip side, there’s hope on the horizon with All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland potentially making his season debut soon.
Here’s a look at the latest updates.
DaRon Bland Could Return vs. Lions
The Cowboys may finally see the return of one of their defensive stars this Sunday. After missing the first five games with a foot injury, DaRon Bland is inching closer to playing against the Detroit Lions. Bland, who had a breakout season last year with nine interceptions and five pick-sixes, has been sorely missed. The Cowboys’ defense has struggled to force turnovers in his absence.
Executive VP Stephen Jones offered some optimism, saying, “I think DaRon Bland has a real chance… Short of a real setback, DaRon should be ready to dress and help us on the defensive side.”
The Cowboys are hoping Bland can make an impact against the Lions’ high-powered offense, which put up 44 points in their last matchup.
Rookie DE Marshawn Kneeland Out with Torn Meniscus
Unfortunately, rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. The second-round pick suffered a torn meniscus during the Steelers game, adding to the Cowboys’ growing list of injuries on defense. While it’s not as severe as an ACL tear, Kneeland will miss several weeks but is expected to return later in the season.
Kneeland had started to find his groove, recording solid performances over the past two weeks. His absence will be felt, especially with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence also dealing with injuries.
Rico Dowdle Emerges as RB1, Ezekiel Elliott Fades
In the backfield, there’s been a changing of the guard. Rico Dowdle has quietly taken over as the Cowboys’ lead running back, overtaking Ezekiel Elliott. Dowdle’s career-high 87 yards on 20 carries against the Steelers solidified his role as the team’s top rusher.
Elliott, once the face of the Cowboys’ offense, has seen his workload diminish drastically. Since Week 1, he hasn’t carried the ball more than six times in a game. It’s becoming clear that Dowdle’s consistency is what Dallas needs, while Elliott’s role has been reduced mainly to blocking.
With the Cowboys navigating injuries and changes, they’ll need all hands on deck as they prepare to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
