The Dallas Cowboys are kicking off their 2023 season in a big-time matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. Dallas has had the number of their NFC East rivals for a while now, winning 11 out of the last 12 times they have faced off.
If the Cowboys want to keep that successful stretch going, they could have to do it shorthanded on Sunday night. Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy revealed earlier this week that the team is currently without three players at practice because of separate issues.
Safety Donovan Wilson, offensive lineman Tyler Smith and defensive end Sam Williams are all dealing with ailments that have kept them out of practice. Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News shared the update from McCarthy’s press conference.
“Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said LG Tyler Smith (hamstring) and S Donovan Wilson (calf) won’t practice today, working instead with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown. Goal is for them to practice late this week,” Gehlken wrote on September 6. “First hamstring injury Smith has had. New experience for him.”
Smith is expected to be one of the team’s starters along the offensive line. He filled in for Tyron Smith and Terence Steele at the tackle spots last season but is listed as the starting left guard heading into the 2023 season.
Wilson started all 17 games for the Cowboys last season and his absence would be a big one from the secondary. If he cannot get healthy enough to play Sunday night, Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse will handle the safety positions.
Williams is seemingly dealing with the most serious ailment of them all. He suffered a turf toe injury last week, which sometimes requires a multi-week recovery.
“Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said DE Sam Williams, who suffered turf toe last Wednesday, won’t practice today,” Gehlken’s post on X reads. “He will work to the side with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown.” (H/T Heavy.com)
Being without any of those three players would be a blow to the Cowboys. While Williams isn’t a projected starter like Smith and Wilson, he is still expected to play a role as a rotational player along the defensive front.
