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Three starting defensive backs for the Cowboys will be out today against the

Tonight’s game between the Cowboys and Eagles, on paper, will hold little weight for both teams as they are already through to the playoffs. Despite this, coach Mike McCarthy has already indicated that he will not give Dallas starters a break in this game. However, the recent cowboy casualties will cause a change of plans, at least with the defensive backs.

And it is that the Cowboys will not be able to count on three of their starters in secondary line. This Friday, the Cowboy team announced that cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Jayron Kearse would not be traveling to Philadelphia. Diggs is on sick leave, while Kearse has a hamstring injury. Therefore, both are ruled out for today.

To the losses of Diggs and Kearse is also added that of Anthony Brown. The cornerback was already ruled out for tonight after testing positive for COVID-19 in the middle of the week. Hopefully Dallas could have these players for tonight.

Likewise, the Cowboys announced that running back Tony Pollard is also out due to a foot injury. On the other hand, safety Donovan Wilson remains in doubt for today as he is on sick leave. Although Wilson did not travel with the team to Philadelphia yesterday, he may join this Saturday if he is in better condition.

Although the Dallas sideline will be visibly affected by the casualties, some players will have a chance to prove themselves. The vacant cornerback spots could be filled by rookies Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright, in addition to CJ Goodwin and Maurice Canady. Of them, the only one who aims to be a permanent starter is Joseph, this after his good performance in week 16 against Washington.

On the other hand, the safety position will be understaffed. With the losses of Kearse and Wilson, the Cowboys would only have three players available: Damontae Kazee, Malik Hooker and rookie Israel Mukuamu. This will be a headache for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. This is considering that the linebacker position is also limited, and that he will not be able to appeal to a safety to reinforce that position.

Will the casualties produce a change of plans in Dallas tonight?

Aside from the confirmed casualties on Friday, there are other Dallas starters who will not play in Philadelphia tonight either. In midweek, linebacker Micah Parsons and offensive tackle Tyron Smith were included on the COVID-19 list. Due to the dates of their positives, both were ruled out to play this week. And the same was true of Anthony Brown, who was added to the list on Thursday.

In all, the Cowboys won’t be able to count on six of their regular starters tonight, five of whom are defensive. This, of course, not counting the loss of catcher Michael Gallup for the rest of the season. However, this situation may not alter the Cowboys’ plans not to rest their starters against the Eagles.

Following the team’s poor performance in the loss to Arizona, Dallas needs to show its best tonight. Especially on offense, where Dak Prescott and company seem to have slipped back into a performance slump. That way, the cowboy team can confidently and rhythmically enter their playoff game next week.

On the other hand, and as we pointed out in a previous articleLet’s not forget that the Cowboys could still climb to third and even second in the conference. To do this, they must beat the Eagles and hope the Rams and Cardinals lose to the 49ers and Seahawks, respectively. In addition to this, they would be waiting for what happens between Panthers and Buccaneers. It is worth noting that this is an unlikely combination, but not an impossible one.

For now, the players who are out for this week are expected to be back for the first game of the playoffs. Likewise, the Cowboys are also expected to not add COVID-19 casualties of key players in the coming days. At this point in the season, having the healthiest team possible is vital. And, compared to other franchises, Dallas seems to be in luck right now.

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