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Cowboys Injury Woes Mount As Schoonmaker, Clark Face Sunday Test
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- Cowboys Injury Woes Mount As Schoonmaker, Clark Face Sunday Test
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The Dallas Cowboys are looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season, but a fresh wave of injuries threatens to derail that momentum just before kickoff. Two key starters are now on the injury report ahead of the Sunday showdown with the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. The situation is fluid, with the team releasing updated practice participation numbers on Friday that leave the coaching staff with tough choices.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark is the most pressing concern for the front seven. He practiced without issues earlier in the week but was limited on Friday due to a back problem. The defensive line's interior remains uncertain as his status is now listed as questionable. On the other side of the ball, tight end Luke Schoonmaker is expected to miss his third straight game. Thursday and Friday practice sessions were missed due to a groin injury, with reports suggesting he is unlikely to play. This leaves the third-string tight end spot empty just as the team tries to find its offensive identity.
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Defensive Health Improves While Offense Struggles
While the loss of Clark and Schoonmaker stings, there is genuine hope on the defensive side of the ball. Three players who have been on injured reserve are finally getting back on the field. Friday's practice saw full participation from Safety P.J. Locke, linebacker Marist Liufau, and defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard. They are working through their 21-day practice windows and are listed as questionable for the game. Coach Brian Schottenheimer sees this return as a major turning point for the unit. "The health of this defense is getting us excited. We're getting bodies back, and that's huge for us," Schottenheimer said, according to Yahoo Sports .
These defensive players were needed back after the unit surrendered more than 330 yards in each of the previous two contests. The return of Locke, Liufau, and Bullard adds depth that the team desperately needed. However, the offensive line still faces questions with George Pickens also listed as questionable due to shoulder and hamstring issues. Pickens was limited all week, adding another layer of uncertainty to the receiving corps.
Identity Shifts and the Fullback Option
The Cowboys are trying to re-identify who they want to be after a strong 38-21 win over the Eagles. Dak Prescott observed that earlier weeks saw the team lean too heavily on the pass, though the running game offered needed balance. Javonte Williams rushed for a season-high 155 yards in that victory. If Schoonmaker cannot play, the team may have to lean even more on the run game and the fullback position. Coach Schottenheimer highlighted fullback Hunter Luepke as a key player to step up if the tight end depth is depleted.
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"He's a guy that we talk a lot about that does just everything good," Schottenheimer said regarding Luepke, according to Dallas News . The coach added that Luepke received a game ball for being dominant on special teams against the Eagles last week. This could mean more three-tight-end sets or heavy packages featuring Luepke to compensate for the loss of the tight end depth. Dallas cannot risk another home loss since Arizona has claimed victory in the last four meetings against the Cowboys.
Although Arizona arrives with a 2-5 record, they defeated Dallas 27-17 last season on Monday night. Prescott has not forgotten that loss and emphasized the need to treat the Cardinals with respect. "Understanding what happened last year, it was an ugly, ugly game, ugly on our part," Prescott told DallasCowboys.com this week, according to Yahoo Sports . He described the recent win as a reset and believes the team is ready for the blitz looks Arizona will bring. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and the health of the roster will be the biggest factor in whether Dallas can finally get over the hump.
