Dallas Cowboys place multiple players on injured reserve

The Dallas Cowboys have battled crucial injuries throughout the season.

On Tuesday, the organization placed defensive tackle Brent Urban and defensive back Maurice Canady on injured reserve, meaning both players will be out at least three weeks and two spots on the 53-man roster have opened for now.

Urban, a veteran in his eighth pro season, has played about 40% of the team’s defensive snaps and on roughly 15% of the special teams’ plays in his first year with the Dallas Cowboys. Canaday has primarily contributed on special teams, but saw some action at cornerback earlier in the season when the team needed depth at defensive back.

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott injury update

On Monday, Jon Machota who covers the Cowboys for The Athletic, provided an update on Dak Prescott’s calf injury.

Prescott did not participate in practice during Dallas’ bye this past week as he recovered.

“If I (talked to you) today you’d have nothing to talk about (for rest of the week),” Prescott joked to reporters.

Based on that response, all signs point to the star being available for a Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a 35-29 victory against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Prescott finished 36-of-51 for 445 yards passing and three touchdowns. He has been an integral part of a Dallas offense that ranks top five in the NFL.

Prescott’s health has been a major concern for the Cowboys especially since last year. The quarterback suffered a season-ending ankle injury as Dallas missed the playoffs. This year, they look like the clear favorite to win the NFC East and return to the postseason. For this reason, the Dallas Cowboys are being as cautious as they can with their quarterback.

The sixth-year pro has thrown for 1,813 yards and 16 touchdowns, which at the bye was tied for third-most in the NFL. He likely would have even more scores if he wasn’t on the same team as running back Ezekiel Elliott, whose five rushing touchdowns were tied for second-most prior to Week 7.

The Cowboys’ only loss this year comes against defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay and Tom Brady. They still lost by a mere two points as Prescott finished with 403 yards and three touchdowns in that one. The Buccaneers only escaped after Ryan Succop nailed a field goal with two seconds left.

Based on the latest update, the calf injury to Dak Prescott doesn’t look too serious. It seems like the quarterback just needed some time to recover and will be ready to lead the offense out against the Vikings on Halloween.

Dallas Cowboys fans can take a deep breath as they prepare to enter the second half of the season and hope it can be as successful as the first.