Stephon Gilmore updates status after suffering shoulder injury in win over Commanders

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday night against the Washington Commanders. The veteran left the field before halftime after a tackle and didn’t return. After the game, he told reporters that he popped his shoulder out, but he doesn’t plan to miss the team’s Wild Card round game against the Green Bay Packers next week.

“He told me he was fine and he’d be ready to go,” Mike McCarthy also shared after the 38-10 win that helped the Cowboys clinch the NFC East title.

Though the veteran had to exit the field after visiting the blue medical tent, the Cowboys made up for his loss almost immediately. Safety Donovan Wilson notched an interception on Washington QB Sam Howell, making it two in back-to-back weeks for the former Texas A&M star. On top of that interception, the Cowboys have also had a forced fumble and recovery, as well as another INT from Daron Bland.

The Cowboys added Stephon Gilmore this summer in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. In exchange for a fifth-round pick, the Dallas defense picked up a veteran to play opposite Trevon Diggs. The addition became even more important after Diggs suffered a season-ending injury. Now, Gilmore’s had 62 tackles with two interceptions for the Cowboys this season. He added six more tackles against the Commanders on Sunday before his injury.

Zack Martin, Tyler Smith miss Cowboys’ final regular season game

The Cowboys beat the Commanders on Sunday without two starting offensive linemen. Right guard Zack Martin and left guard Tyler Smith had to miss the game due to illness and injury, respectively. The veteran could have played, according to Jerry Jones, but he was a last-minute scratch. Smith was trying to ready himself to play all week after tearing his plantar fascia but was inactive by Sunday.

After taking a three-score lead in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys inserted even more backups – and still managed to keep the Washington defense from recording a sack.

Dallas will host the Packers next weekend. It’s a reunion for Mike McCarthy with his former team, but he’s focused on getting the Cowboys through to the next round.

“The drama of it I’m sure you guys will love,” McCarthy said post-game, via Jon Machota. “I will not participate in it. … It’s playoff time. It doesn’t matter who we play, to be honest with you.”

Kickoff times for the Wild Card Round will be released following the Sunday Night Football game between the Bills and the Dolphins. The game will decide the AFC East.