Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders Thursday injury report

The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to officially clinch their NFC East title with a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. To get it done, the Cowboys will need a few of their banged-up players to get healthy by the weekend.

Dallas will either bring multiple players back for the final game of the regular season or they’ll sit them for an extra week of rest before the first round of the playoffs. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is one to watch for a Week 18 return. He missed the last three games with a high-ankle sprain. Rookie Mazi Smith has been stepping up in Hankins’ absence.

Running back Rico Dowdle could also make a return for Week 18. Rookie running back Deuce Vaughn played on Saturday in Dowdle’s place. He had two carries and a reception for 10 yards in the victory. After the weekend, the Cowboys played the former Kansas State star on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury, which means Dowdle could be full-go for Sunday.

Here’s who was in and who was out for the Cowboys at practice on Thursday. The final list of inactives will come out with an hour and a half to go before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday.

Cowboys Thursday Injury Report

DE Dorance Armstrong (ankle) – DNP
RB Rico Dowdle (ankle) – Full
T Chuma Edoga (illness) – DNP
DE Viliami Fehoko Jr (knee) – Full
DE Chauncey Golston (illness) – DNP
DT Johnathan Hankins (knee/ankle) – Limited
FS Malik Hooker (ankle/illness) – DNP
RB Hunter Luepke (thigh) – Full
G Zack Martin (NIR-Rest) – DNP
G Tyler Smith (foot) – DNP
OT Tyron Smith (NIR-Rest) – DNP
DB Juanyeh Thomas (Illness) – DNP

Tyler Smith still questionable for Week 18

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Thursday that Saturday is the crucial day to watch for Tyler Smith‘s availability this week. The left guard tore the plantar fascia in his foot during the game against the Lions and according to McCarthy, he’s “making progress.”

During his press conference on Thursday, the skipper informed the media that if Smith can return to practice by Saturday, he could play on Sunday. He sat out of practice on Wednesday, along with several veterans including Zack Martin and Tyron Smith. If the starting left guard is unable to go against the Commanders, Dallas will call on rookie T.J. Bass to step up.

Dallas made four new signings to the practice squad this week. First, the team brought back former right tackle La’el Collins and linebacker Damien Wilson. Then, they added rookie running back SaRodorick Thompson out of Texas Tech and LSU wide receiver Racey McMath. To make room, they released wide receivers Martavis Bryant and Tyron Johnson, as well as OL Adam Pankey and DT Willington Previlon.