At 2-6 on the season and coming off three consecutive blowout loss, the Dallas Cowboys are in real trouble. That’s magnified by the vast amount of injuries Mike McCarthy’s squad has had to deal with through eight games. This now includes veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who missed last Sunday’s game with a concussion. We have new information in our latest Cowboys injury report.
It’s not great. Dalton has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will miss said outing.
That’s where we start in providing you with the latest Dallas Cowboys injury report.
Related: NFL Week 9 injury report
Dallas Cowboys schedule
- Pittsburgh at Dallas
- Dallas at Minnesota
- Washington at Dallas
- Dallas at Baltimore
- Dallas at Cincinnati
- San Francisco at Dallas
- Philadelphia at Dallas
- Dallas at NY Giants
Andy Dalton injury report
- Position: QB
- Status: Out
- Injury: COVID-related
- Team impact: With Dalton out last week against the Eagles, these Cowboys were forced to rely on rookie late-round pick Ben DiNucci from James Madison under center. It goes without saying that this didn’t necessarily help Dallas break out of its recent funk. The rookie completed 21-of-40 passes for 180 yards and was sacked four times. DiNucci is now set to take on a dominant Steelers defense Week 9. You can do the math.
- Fantasy impact: No real impact when it comes to DiNucci. He’s not relevant from a fantasy football perspective. However, this will effect the Cowboys’ trio of receivers. Primarily, Amari Cooper. He was not targeted a single time until the fourth quarter last week. Michael Gallup was targeted 12 times, coming away with seven catches for 61 yards. Even then, he’s not a relevant fantasy option here. That’s now magnified with the latest Dalton-related report.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Cowboys, check out #DallasCowboys rumors, rankings, and news here.
Dak Prescott injury report
- Position: QB
- Status: Out (injured reserve)
- Injury: Ankle
- Team impact: The devastating ankle injury Prescott suffered back in Week 5 was the beginning of the end for his Dallas Cowboys. Prescott was leading the NFL in passing yards (1,856) while putting up 12 total touchdowns against four interceptions. This has obviously had an effect on the Cowboys’ passing game. Reports regarding Dalton’s status adds to this.
- Fantasy impact: Even with Andy Dalton under center initially to replace Prescott, the Cowboys’ top-end group of receivers struggled making fantasy football waves. The likes of Cooper, Gallup and rookie CeeDee Lamb have taken a major step back in recent weeks. With DiNucci under center for at least Week 9, the expectation is that this will continue for the Cowboys.
La’el Collins injury update
- Position: OT
- Status: Out (injured reserve)
- Injury: Hip
- Team impact: Having missed the entire season after undergoing hip surgery, Collins’ absence has had a major effect for the Dallas Cowboys. Their quarterbacks have been sacked 24 times in eight games after Prescott went down just 23 times all of last season. Outside of the Cowboys’ issues on defense, this has been the biggest problem in Dallas.
- Fantasy impact: Obviously, Collins’ injury is part of the conversation in this latest report. Without a clean pocket, quarterbacks will struggle getting the ball to their receivers down the field and in space. As mentioned above, that’s hindered Cowboys pass-catchers. And while Ezekiel Elliott would normally be seen as a stud, he’s struggled this season. Collins’ injury has played a role in this, too.
Related: NFL schedule, predictions
Tyron Smith injury report
- Position: OT
- Status: Out (injured reserve)
- Injury: Neck
- Team impact: Being without two starting left tackles would normally derail any team. Given that the Dallas Cowboys rely on both Collins and Smith, that’s magnified further in Big D. One of the best left tackles in the game, Smith has only suited up in two games for the Cowboys this year. He’s on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the year.
- Fantasy impact: Pretty much the same thing as Collins’ injury. The effects can be felt at quarterback and wide receivers with both positions struggling recently. Unfortunately, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel here for the Cowboys. This latest report adds another layer to that.