Cowboys news: Amari Cooper plans to play on Monday, despite injury being more serious than reported

Cowboys’ Amari Cooper Discusses Injury; Plans to Play Through Cracked Rib vs. Eagles- Scott Polacek, Bleacher Report

Amari Cooper wants to prove he is the best. Despite the Cowboys wide receiver confirming that his injury is more than a bruise, Cooper plans to play on Monday.

The Dallas Cowboys will apparently have their No. 1 wide receiver available for Monday’s NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Amari Cooper told reporters Friday his rib is “cracked” instead of bruised, but he plans on playing because “I want to be the best.” Cooper was limited in practice Thursday, and head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters his ribs were bruised.

Cooper suffered the injury during the Cowboys’ Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Alabama product impressed in Dallas’ first contest with 13 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but had just three catches for 24 yards against the Chargers.

The Cowboys could use him against the Eagles because wide receiver Michael Gallup is on injured reserve with a calf injury.

If Cooper is out, that would make CeeDee Lamb the clear-cut No. 1 option. Dallas may need to rely on the rushing attack of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in that case.

The Eagles have not allowed more than 189 passing yards in a game, so Dak Prescott will be hard-pressed to put up big numbers even if Cooper plays. The 27-year-old is a four-time Pro Bowler who has established himself as a consistent playmaker.

Cliff Harris, Drew Pearson, Jimmy Johnson to be Honored at Halftime on MNF- Jess Haynie, Inside The Star

Three Dallas legends will be recognized during the Cowboys' home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys’ most recent inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame will have yet another well-deserved day of recognition. Cliff Harris, Drew Pearson, and Jimmy Johnson will receive their HOF rings in a ceremony during halftime of Dallas’ Week 3 meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Harris and Johnson were part of the 2020 class but had to wait for their induction until last month due to the pandemic. Pearson was inducted with this year’s group.

One thing that Cliff and Drew have that Jimmy doesn’t is a place in the Cowboys Ring of Honor. But Jerry Jones made it clear during the last Hall of Fame Weekend that adding Johnson to the Ring was coming.

Late last night, Michael Irvin caused a stir when he said that Jimmy was also going to named to the Ring of Honor as part of Monday’s festivities. But it appears he simply misspoke.

Jerry Jones has since confirmed that Jimmy’s Ring of Honor induction will not happen on Monday. And really, that is a kindness to Cliff Harris and Drew Pearson that their moment isn’t left in the shadows.

Jordan Mailata likely out in Week Three with knee sprain- Myles Simmons, ProFootballTalk

The Eagles seem to be down a starting left tackle for their matchup against the Cowboys.

Jordan Mailata sprained his knee at the end of Thursday’s practice, the Eagles announced on Friday.

Mailata was not listed on Philadelphia’s Thursday injury report because he finished practice but later told trainers about the injury. Several reporters took note that he was not on the field as practice began on Friday.

Per NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, Mailata is not expected to miss extended time with the injury.

With Mailata is sidelined, Andre Dillard appears likely to get the nod at left tackle. he was a first-round pick in 2019 and started four games for the Eagles that season. He suffered a torn bicep last August and missed all of the 2020 season.

Tony Pollard’s Usage Makes Cowboys Backfield Tandem Dangerous- Sean Martin, Inside The Star

Highlighted by last Sunday’s win against the Chargers, the Cowboys have two legitimate weapons in the backfield.

Tony Pollard had a career game in week two against the Chargers, carrying 13 times for 109 yards. Both of these stats fall just short of career highs, with 14 carries in 2019 against Washington and 131 yards against the Rams earlier that same season. Pollard also caught three passes for 31 yards, his third best receiving game with the Cowboys.

Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore deserves a lot of credit for his game plans through two weeks, showing the ability to adjust while also sticking to what the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott do well. This is clear when looking at Pollard’s usage at Los Angeles.

Instead of giving away that Pollard was getting the ball with his 21 snaps, the Cowboys ran their RB2 out of formations they’ll throw from as well. Ezekiel Elliott was on the field for two of Pollard’s carries, and 12 of his touches came as consecutive plays – allowing the timing to be established behind this Dallas OL.

Anae In COVID Protocol; Impact On The D-Line?- Rob Phillips, Dallascowboys.com

Wishing for a speedy recovery for Bradlee Anea and safety for his family during this time.

A quick rundown of the Cowboys’ difficulties on the defensive line:

Starters DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and Neville Gallimore (elbow) are currently on Reserve/Injured.

Defensive tackle Trysten Hill (knee) is currently on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list.

Defensive end Dorance Armstrong, who started against the Chargers last Sunday, will not play against the Eagles because of a high ankle sprain.

And now second-year defensive end Bradlee Anae is in COVID-19 protocol just three days before the Cowboys’ home opener at AT&T Stadium.

Safe to say the Cowboys’ depth will be tested once again Monday night.

Anae played 33 total snaps against the Chargers and Bucs, posting one tackle and one pressure. If he isn’t cleared by Monday’s game, the Cowboys will be down three defensive ends (Lawrence, Armstrong, Anae) against their division rivals.

The good news: starter Randy Gregory is back from the Reserve/COVID list and is having a good week of practice. Tarell Basham and Azur Kamara are also part of the rotation.

Chauncey Golston’s Debut Could be Impactful for Cowboys vs Eagles- Jess Haynie, Inside The Star

The extra pick the Cowboys gained from their draft-day trade with the Eagles was used to select Chauncey Golston. He will have his first opportunity to prove the Cowboys made the right choice in their home opener against the Eagles.

Rookie Chauncey Golston has only been practicing for a few weeks and yet to be active for his first NFL game. But the defensive end just might debut for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, and other injuries could put him in a position to make an impact against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Golston was one of three 3rd-Round picks for Dallas in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was taken nine spots after Defensive Tackle Osa Odighizuwa and 15 spots before Cornerback Nahshon Wright.

A hamstring injury put Chauncey on the Physically Unable to Perform list at the start of training camp. He remained there throughout August, missing all four preseason games and lots of practice work. Golston passed a physical and joined the active roster as Dallas was making its final cuts.

The rookie had to be worked back in after missing so much time, not practicing fully in Week 1 and being inactive for the season opener. Though he did practice in full pads last week, Chauncey again didn’t dress for the Chargers game.

Now he’s not even showing on the Week 3 injury report.

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