After losing a heartbreaker to the arch division rival New York Giants last week in Arlington, Texas, the Dallas Cowboys will face arguably their toughest test of the season.This week they’ll be going head-to-head with the Atlanta Falcons, arguably the best team in the NFL.
As if losing three of the last four games wasn’t enough cause for concern in Dallas, the Cowboys might be a headed to a second consecutive loss if they can’t figure out a way to hand Matt Ryan and company their first loss of the season this weekend at the Georgia Dome.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, the offense might be a step slow on Sunday with running back DeMarco Murray still recovering from a sprained foot according to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com:
“Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray didn’t practice on Thursday and baring a sudden change of events, he won’t play in Sunday night’s game at Atlanta.”
Along with Murray missing Sunday’s game in Atlanta, wide receiver Dez Bryant is also dealing with injury problems. Bryant is suffering from a hip injury that kept him out practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wideout Kevin Olgetree is also banged up heading into this matchup with the Falcons. Olgetree is suffering from a hamstring injury that has also kept him out of practices this week.
Both Bryant and Olgetree are expected to play in Week 9. As a precautionary measure, receivers Danny Coale and Tim Benford have been taking snaps with the first team throughout the week incase Bryant and or Olgetree are limited or unable to go in Atlanta.
As for the running back position, Felix Jones will likely share carries with Phillip Tanner and Lance Dunbar. Jones has been battling an injury as well with a bruised knee.
This game against the undefeated Falcons may be a do-or-die situation for Tony Romo and head coach Jason Garrett. Both Romo and Garrett are on the hot seat heading into the second half of the season with the quarterback possibly headed to the bench by season’s end and head coach potentially on the verge of losing his job altogether if the Cowboys can’t turn it around.
