The latest on Anthony Hitchens, Tyron Smith injuries

Initial signs point to the Dallas Cowboys being more optimistic about linebacker Anthony Hitchens’ injury than left tackle Tyron Smith.

Hitchens exited with an apparent knee injury with 39 seconds left in Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders. Smith, meanwhile, limped off with a right knee injury in the third quarter.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the team is taking each on a “day-to-day” basis, although he sounded more hopeful that Hitchens would be available for the Christmas Eve matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

“Hitch a little better chance to make it this week than Tyron, although Tyron has a chance,” Jones said on his 105.3 The Fan radio show Monday. “We’ll just have to monitor him [Smith], but certainly not an ACL, which is a relief. We’ll kind of watch them as the week goes here and know that I think Hitch has a pretty good chance of doing it, and Tyron has a chance. So we’ll see.”

Coach Jason Garrett didn’t offer much more of an update than that during his news conference on Monday. He said the team will see how Smith and Hitchens progress throughout the week.

Hitchens had a positive post on his Twitter page today, too, writing: “God is so great once again thanks for the support let’s keep this rolling #cowboynation.”

Hitchens has battled multiple injuries this season, missing games for the first time in his career. He sat out the first four games of the season after sustaining a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee in a preseason contest against Oakland. Hitchens has also battled a groin injury this season.

Smith, meanwhile, exited with 4:45 left in the third quarter. He missed two games with a groin injury earlier this season, and has also managed a back issue throughout the season.

Smith was beaten for a sack by Oakland’s Khalil Mack in the first half.

Byron Bell replaced Smith, and was flagged for holding once. Bell finished the game by playing the final 24 offensive snaps.

Brown’s reprieve

Anthony Brown thought he might’ve lost the game for the Cowboys.

Brown dropped what should have been an easy, game-sealing interception with 1:05 left in the game. That gave the Oakland Raiders new life and they almost pulled out a victory in the final seconds.

Fortunately for Brown, safety Jeff Heath made the play of the night. With 31 seconds left, Oakland had a third-and-3 from the Dallas 8. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr broke free on a run toward the end zone and extended for the front pylon.

Just as Carr lunged for the end zone, Heath hit him. Carr lost control of the ball and it bounced out of the end zone for a touchback, securing an improbable 20-17 victory for the Cowboys.

“When I dropped that pick, I was just like, ‘Man, I feel like I owe the team,’ ” Brown said. “This could’ve ended the game right here, but Jeff Heath came through in the clutch for me. That was huge.”

It’s another signature play for Heath, who leads the team with three interceptions. He always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.

“It just felt like a normal play,” Heath said. “I could tell he was getting close to the end zone and I just tried my best to keep him out and thankfully he reached his hand out and he fumbled.”

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 5:34 PM with the headline "The latest on Anthony Hitchens, Tyron Smith injuries."