On Tuesday morning, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan for his weekly radio hit and gave the latest update on several key players currently dealing with injuries, including WR Brandin Cooks, OG Tyler Smith, and OG Zack Martin.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Updates Heading Into Week 3
Brandin Cooks Injury Update
Cooks is dealing with an MCL sprain he suffered during Week 1 against the Giants, but Jones said that he is close to returning this week.
He did not practice last week, and although Jones said he was close to playing on Sunday against the New York Jets, they did not want to rush him back.
With Cooks out, QB Dak Prescott spread the ball around to several different receivers and completed passes to Ceedee Lamb, Tony Pollard, Jalen Tolbert, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn. Lamb had 11 receptions for 143 yards on Sunday, further showing the chemistry that he and Prescott have developed.
One of the beneficiaries of Cooks being out was rookie Jalen Brooks, as he saw time at the gunner position on special teams while Tolbert took more of a role on the offense during the game.
Tyler Smith Injury Update
The second-year guard has yet to start a game this season. However, Jones said that Smith is close to playing and may be ready to suit up in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Smith is dealing with a hamstring issue he suffered during the week before the Giants game in Week 1. In Smith’s absence, Chuma Edoga stepped in at the left guard position for the last two weeks. In Week 2, he was on the field for 55 pass snaps but left the game early with an elbow injury.
McCarthy said Edoga would miss the start of practice on Wednesday but has a chance to play on Sunday against the Cardinals. Even if Smith can play on Sunday, Edoga’s availability would be a good safety net for the offensive line depth.
Zack Martin Injury Update
Heading into Week 2 against the Jets, Martin was dealing with tightness in his groin. He started the game but was eventually taken out and was deemed questionable to return after suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
However, Jones mentioned that there is no indication that Martin would miss any playing time from his groin soreness or the rolled ankle.
That aligns with the reports that came out following the game that noted Martin was taken out because of precaution, as the Cowboys already had a significant lead at that point of the game.