Cowboys' Bye Week To The Rescue
Sometimes you may get a bye week that seems too early, and sometimes you can get a bye week at what seems a little too late. For the Dallas Cowboys, it comes at a great time in Week Eleven.
After leaving London with a dominating win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cowboys finally get to rest their physically bruised and battered bodies. Whether it’s noted on the injury report or not, many players are constantly battling through injuries.
It all starts with quarterback Tony Romo. The Dallas Cowboys season basically rests in his hands, so getting him as much rest as possible after suffering two fractures in his transverse process is ideal. Romo is the heart and soul of this team. He showed extreme mental and physical toughness throughout the game against the Jaguars, which brought the passion and confidence back to every other player on the field. Just as important, he made it out of the game without further injury.
“Tony’s a competitor, and when you’re talking about your teammates, when you see that, it makes you want to get out there and work just as hard. He goes out there and plays like it don’t even faze him.” – Dez Bryant
Linebacker Rolando McClain and defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford are also two important players that need the crucial rest. They both suffered knee injuries against the Arizona Cardinals in Week Nine, but neither injury seems to be long-term. McClain has also been nursing a groin injury throughout the season. After resting both of them during the Jaguars game, they should both be ready to return to play the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles after the bye week, crucial NFC East matchups. With linebackers Justin Durant and Sean Lee on injured reserve, it’s crucial to have McClain healthy.
Other players are dealing with small injuries such as linebacker Bruce Carter’s broken finger, Doug Free’s foot and Ronald Leary’s groin. And that’s just what has popped up on the injury report recently. Work-horse running back DeMarco Murray will also benefit extremely from the bye week after the physically demanding season he has had thus far.
Defensive tackle Josh Brent is eligible to return after the bye week, assuming he’s in shape. Brent has been practicing already and even traveled to London with the team to feel involved and engaged.
It may have been a rough two weeks between the Washington Redskins loss and the Arizona Cardinals loss, but the Cowboys seem to have things going in their favor as they approach the home stretch of the season.
The NFC East is never an easy division, but the Dallas Cowboys now have every chance to control their own destiny.
