Dallas Cowboys add receiver to COVID-19 reserves list

The Dallas Cowboys added receiver Cedrick Wilson to the COVID-19/reserves list Monday, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. He is expected to miss their game Sunday against the New York Giants.

Wilson returned from an ankle injury this past Sunday against Washington after missing Week 13 against New Orleans. He caught both of his targets for 18 yards as the Cowboys won by score of 27-20.

Dallas has face plenty of COVID challenges in recent weeks, including when coach Mike McCarthy missed Week 13. He returned Sunday against Washington to help the team claim its second straight victory.

With the Washington win, the Cowboys (9-4) further distanced themselves in the NFC East standings. If the season ended today, Dallas would be the four seed in the NFC, taking on the Los Angeles Rams in the first round.

A sixth round pick in 2018 out of Boise State, Wilson has spent all three of his NFL seasons in Dallas. He is the Cowboys’ fourth leading pass catcher this year with 32 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns. His best game came on Thanksgiving Day against the Las Vegas Raiders, when he finished with a career-high seven catches for 104 yards.

With four regular season games left, Dallas finds itself in a tight race for the top spot in the NFC. It is currently behind Arizona (10-2), Green Bay (10-3) and Tampa Bay (10-3). The Cowboys face the Cardinals on Jan. 2 with an opportunity to close in on the No. 1 seed.

Other than that, the remaining three of their final four games are against NFC East opponents. Assuming they win those, they’ll be in prime position to take a top playoff spot.

But the Cowboys will have to make do without a top receiver for at least next week thanks to COVID-19. Kickoff for their game with the Giants is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.