Dallas Cowboys vs New York Jets Thursday injury report
The Dallas Cowboys continued preparations on Thursday for the home opener this Sunday against the New York Jets. Injuries on both sides could factor in but they also have several players on the mend.
For Dallas, veteran wideout Brandin Cooks (knee) was a new addition to the list on Wednesday. On Thursday, reports suggested the former Texans star has a sprained MCL, throwing his status for Sunday into question. He joined guard Tyler Smith (hamstring) for rehab work during practice.
Right guard Zack Martin appeared on the injury report for the first time on Thursday with a groin injury. He practiced in a limited fashion. Martin made his triumphant return to the team at the end of training camp after executing a successful holdout for more money over the next two seasons.
Meanwhile, left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) and safety Donovan Wilson (calf) are still on the injury report. However, Wilson was able to don pads for the first time since last season, signaling that he could be just days away from a return to play.
For the Jets, running back Breece Hall (knee), right tackle Mekhi Becton (knee) and left tackle Duane Brown (shoulder) were limited in practice on Wednesday and again on Thursday. They were also banged up last week but played in Monday night’s win over the Bills.
Breece Hall played just 17 snaps but gained 147 yards on 11 carries in his first game back from a torn ACL. The Monday night game was also Mehki Becton’s first game back from injury. He hadn’t played since September of 2021, due to two separate knee injuries.
Thursday injury reports
Cowboys
Full Participation: Tyron Smith (ankle)
Limited: Zack Martin (groin), Donovan Wilson (calf)
DNP: Brandin Cooks (knee), Tyler Smith (hamstring)
Jets
Full Participation: n/a
Limited: Duane Brown (shoulder), Mekhi Becton (knee), Breece Hall (knee)
DNP: n/a
Cowboys await Aaron Rodgers-less Jets
With Rodgers sidelined after suffering a torn Achilles, the Cowboys’ stout defense will match up against third-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Though benched last season for poor play, the 2021 second-overall pick did just enough to lead the Jets to a 22-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Given the weapons the Jets have at the skill positions and on defense, team owner Jerry Jones knows Dallas will have its hands full.
“That shows the type of team they got,” Jones said Tuesday. “And they’re loaded across the board. This will be a tough game one way or the other.”
Rodgers’ former head coach, Mike McCarthy, shared his condolences to the QB, but still believes the Jets will pose a challenge for his Cowboys on Sunday.
“I mean, that’s only natural to want to play against a great player,” McCarthy said on Wednesday. “But at the end of the day, we need to get to 2-0. Our focus has been good today. That’s what we’re looking at.”
“I thought [Wilson] went in and obviously did a nice job,” he added. “This is a very good football team. They have weapons in all three phases. The energy, the division game, the Monday night, I was impressed with their team.”
On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report.