Injuries, suspensions alter Dallas Cowboys’ outlook at midpoint
Lost time
You can’t win in the NFL without a quarterback.
The Dallas Cowboys have reinforced that this season by going 0-6 with Tony Romo sidelined with a broken left collarbone. That has been the biggest blow in a disappointing first half.
Playing without their best playmaker, Dez Bryant, for five weeks didn’t help matters either. Neither did losing one of their bigger backfield threats, Lance Dunbar, in Week 3.
Injuries have been an unfortunate storyline for the Cowboys all season, something that has seemingly wrecked any hope of snapping a 20-year championship drought.
It started in training camp when their best defensive back, cornerback Orlando Scandrick, went down. Then in the season opener Bryant went down. Then Romo and defensive tackle Terrell McClain followed in Week 2.
And it just continues to pile up for the Cowboys.
Linebacker Sean Lee will miss his first game Sunday with a concussion. And fellow linebackers Rolando McClain (hand/ foot) and Anthony Hitchens (ankle) are questionable.
Yes, you can’t win in this league without a quarterback. And it’s sure hard to stay afloat with backups playing significant roles elsewhere on the field seemingly every week.
The Cowboys have had 14 players miss time this season because of injury or suspension: Here’s a look at how:
Pos. Player | Injury/suspension | Games missed |
WR Dez Bryant | fractured right foot | 5 |
Offense stalled without their No. 1 playmaker | ||
RB Lance Dunbar | torn ligaments right knee | 4 |
Out for season, although Darren McFadden has rescued running game. | ||
DE Randy Gregory | sprained right ankle | 4 |
He’s returned, but has yet to make desired impact | ||
TE James Hanna | arthroscopic surgery on left knee/ankle | 2 |
Steady veteran who is known for his blocking ability | ||
DE Greg Hardy | suspension | 4 |
Off-field baggage aside, he’s shown up on the field with four sacks in four games | ||
LG Ron Leary | groin | 2 |
Level of play dropped off after injury, and he’s been benched in favor of rookie La’el Collins | ||
LB Sean Lee | concussion | 1 |
He’ll miss Sunday’s game after sustaining second concussion in five weeks | ||
LB Rolando McClain | suspension | 4 |
Hasn’t been the physical presence of last year, as he battles with injury and conditioning issues | ||
DT Terrell McClain | toe | 6 |
Was an underappreciated defensive tackle who would have been nice contributor | ||
DE Jeremy Mincey | concussion | 1 |
Hasn’t recorded a sack this season after getting six a year ago | ||
QB Tony Romo | fractured left collarbone | 6 |
Team has lost six consecutive games without him. Shows why he’s the MVP of the team. | ||
CB Orlando Scandrick | torn ligaments right knee | 8 |
The pass defense is 11th in the league. Borderline top-five with Scandrick. | ||
WR Brice Butler | hamstring | 1 |
Has made a couple of nice catches, but will miss second game of season this week with hamstring injury | ||
RB Joseph Randle | oblique | 1 |
The guy pegged as DeMarco Murray’s chief replacement failed to live up to expectations, missing the Seattle game and then being cut after poor on-field performance coupled with off-field personal issues. | ||
Drew Davison
This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Injuries, suspensions alter Dallas Cowboys’ outlook at midpoint."