The Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts enter Week 9 with several players dealing with injuries, but Dallas has more questions heading into Sunday.
The Cowboys have seven players listed as questionable, including George Pickens and Jake Ferguson. Indianapolis has two players listed as questionable, while Jonathan Taylor has no game designation and is expected to play. That gives the Colts a cleaner injury situation before the teams meet at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Cowboys and Colts meet Sunday in Indianapolis, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX. Dallas has several important players waiting for final clearance, while Indianapolis enters the game with fewer concerns.
Colts vs. Cowboys Week 9 Injury Report: Who’s in and Who’s out?
George Pickens Remains Questionable
George Pickens is one of the biggest names on the Cowboys’ injury report.
Pickens is questionable with a hamstring injury after working in a limited role during the week. Dallas is hopeful he can play, but his status will not be settled until before kickoff.
That matters because Pickens has become an important part of Dak Prescott‘s passing game. If he cannot play, Dallas would have fewer proven options alongside CeeDee Lamb. That could make the Colts’ job easier in the secondary.
Jake Ferguson Has A Chance
Jake Ferguson is also questionable on the Cowboys’ injury report, but his week ended on a better note.
Ferguson did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of an ankle injury. He returned as a limited participant Friday, giving Dallas some hope that he can play in Indianapolis.
His status matters even more because Luke Schoonmaker is also questionable with a groin injury. If both tight ends are limited, Dallas could have to rely more heavily on its receivers.
Ferguson has three touchdowns this season. Losing him would take away another useful option for Prescott near the goal line.
Dallas Gets Two Safeties Back
Dallas did receive some important good news before the game.
Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke cleared concussion protocol and are expected to play. Both had been working through the league’s concussion process during the week.
Their return gives Dallas more stability in the secondary. That is especially useful with Joey Porter Jr. still listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Porter practiced fully on Friday, which is encouraging, but he has not yet received a clean game designation.
Seven Cowboys Players Are Questionable
Dallas’ full questionable list includes Pickens, Ferguson, Schoonmaker, Jonathan Bullard, Marist Liufau, DeMarvion Overshown and Porter.
The Cowboys also ruled out wide receiver KaVontae Turpin with a rib injury and linebacker Malachi Lawrence with an ankle injury. Lawrence could miss multiple weeks after suffering the injury against the Arizona Cardinals.
That makes the final decisions even more important. Dallas already knows it will be without two players, so losing several questionable players would put more pressure on the rest of the roster.
Colts Have Fewer Concerns
Indianapolis has two players ruled out. Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and cornerback Justin Walley are both out with knee injuries. Walley has not played since suffering his injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7.
The Colts also have two players listed as questionable. Offensive tackle Jalen Travis is dealing with thumb and hamstring issues, while safety A.J. Haulcy has an ankle injury.
Travis practiced fully on Friday, giving Indianapolis some reason to feel good about his chances. Haulcy remained limited, making his status less certain.
Jonathan Taylor Is Ready
The biggest positive for Indianapolis is Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor is not listed with a game designation after practicing fully later in the week. The Colts expect their starting running back to play against Dallas.
That gives Indianapolis another way to attack Dallas. Taylor’s availability also keeps the Cowboys from putting all of their attention on Daniel Jones and the passing game.
The Last Word
The Colts vs. Cowboys injury report gives Indianapolis a cleaner situation. Dallas has more players who could miss the game, and Pickens and Ferguson are the biggest concerns because both affect the passing game. The return of Downs and Locke helps the Cowboys, while Porter could also be available after fully practicing on Friday.
Indianapolis has fewer questions and will have Taylor in the backfield. That does not decide the game, but it gives the Colts a better starting point. Dallas needs most of its questionable players to be active if it wants to avoid entering Indianapolis at a clear health disadvantage.
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