Eating the cheese, injuries piling up, plus James Washington returns
ARLINGTON — A scare came Sunday in pregame warmups.
Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse landed awkwardly in a positional drill and lay on the ground for evaluation. He needed help walking off the field. Fortunately, the team determined Kearse avoided a consequential knee injury and could resume action.
Others were less fortunate.
Right tackle Terence Steele injured his left knee, nose tackle Johnathan Hankins strained a pectoral muscle, and tight end Jake Ferguson suffered a concussion. All three injuries happened in the first half. None of those players returned. On the final play of the Cowboys’ 27-23 win over the Houston Texans, defensive end Dorance Armstrong sprained his right ankle, forcing him to leave AT&T Stadium in a protective boot.
The team has experienced fewer injuries than most clubs en route to its 10-3 start.
This game was different.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs also injured his left thumb in the second quarter, exiting the sideline to the locker room and temporarily leaving the Cowboys without their top three cornerbacks. Anthony Brown (Achilles) and nickel Jourdan Lewis (foot) are out for the season.
Diggs soon returned with his thumb taped.
Armstrong is believed to have suffered a low-ankle sprain on the Texans’ unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt, a person familiar with the situation said. That sprain type is less severe than the high variety. Steele’s situation is a concern to the Cowboys. More will be known about his and Hankins’ statuses following MRIs Monday.
Washington return
James Washington was not going to be picky.
He just wanted to play.
The Cowboys wide receiver made his team debut Sunday, albeit not an especially memorable one. He played 11 offensive snaps and was targeted once in the passing game without a reception. He saw about as much action on special teams with eight snaps there.
“Getting my feet wet,” Washington said. “Putting my hand in the pile. …Whatever I can do to get on the field and help these guys.”
Washington missed the…
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