FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys are optimistic moving forward, in part, because they believe reinforcements are on the way. But how quickly will they arrive?
Some, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, could be back this week for Sunday’s road game against the Carolina Panthers.
“It’s still early. I think we’ll find out more in the next couple of days. I think we’re trending in the right direction on a few guys,” Schottenheimer said on Monday. “I’m seeing progress on all the guys. Whether they’re able to make it to this weekend? We’ll see, but I do think we’re closing in on some good markers for these guys in the next couple of weeks.”
There are some candidates to return that are more likely than others. Left tackle Tyler Guyton missed Sunday’s win over the New York Jets because he remained in the concussion protocol from the Week 4 tie against the Packers. He should be on the way back soon. The same can be said for left guard Tyler Smith, who was active on Sunday, but only in case of emergency. Second-year defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was also a close call to play.
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There are some other interesting injured players to keep an eye on for a possible return. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and rookie right guard Tyler Booker both suffered high ankle sprains in a Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Cowboys elected to not place them on injured reserve, instilling confidence in the chance that they both could return before four games had passed — the minimum a player must miss if they’re placed on injured reserve.
Lamb did rehabilitation work last week during the media viewing portion of practice. Schottenheimer has been complimentary of Booker’s recovery trajectory, as well.
The Cowboys are also heading into the second week of having the practice window open for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and corner Caelen Carson. There’s a chance they could return this week, as well.
Even without all those players the Cowboys still won on the road against the Jets on Sunday. That showcased their depth. It also might’ve illuminated good problem for the team. Schottenheimer was asked on Monday how he handles the return of an injured player when the person that replaced them is playing well. One example was wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, who set a career-high with 114 receiving yards on Sunday. Another was second-year tackle Nate Thomas, who made his first career start in place of Guyton.
“I think it’s a fine line,” Schottenheimer said. “There are positives when young guys have to play. They learn, they feel, they realize they belong. So proud and so happy for [Ryan Flournoy]. Just the confidence he played with yesterday was so cool to see. He doesn’t say much. He just works. I thought that was great. All 68 or whatever snaps it was for Nate Thomas were invaluable. Going against a great pass rusher like Will McDonald, it was a great challenge for him. And I think that’s positive, but at the end of the day, when guys come back off injuries, it doesn’t mean we’re not going to need them at some point. It just means they should be more confident when they do get the call.”
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