Cowboys missing more than Elliott
The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to play the rest of the month without not only Ezekiel Elliott, but also two more Pro Bowlers: linebacker Sean Lee and left tackle Tyron Smith.
Lee tweaked a hamstring in Sunday’s 27-7 loss at Atlanta, which Smith sat out with a groin strain and a back injury; both players could miss another game or as many as four. It’s likely the same for kicker Dan Bailey, who also has a groin injury.
Elliott will miss at least the next three games depending on the next legal round in the fight over his six-game NFL suspension.
There’s no way Lee will be ready for Sunday night’s showdown against divisionleading Philadelphia. Since that begins a stretch of three games in 12 days for the Cowboys, they’re proceeding as if he’ll miss them all, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Lee, who missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, leads the team with 41 solo tackles and is second with 52 total tackles.
The most glaring absence against Atlanta was Smith: Replacement Chaz Green gave up five of Adrian Clayborn’s franchise-record six sacks for the Falcons.
Clayborn might have had so many sacks because he didn’t have to worry about the running game. Alfred Morris didn’t show much beyond a 20-yard run, and Dallas’ 1,000-yard rusher from 2015, Darren McFadden, was hit for a two-yard loss on his only carry.
All the absences are contributing to the Cowboys’ 5-4 start, and Jerry Jones’ increasing discontent.
While Jones won’t acknowledge being motivated by the Elliott suspension, the Cowboys owner reportedly has been trying to block an extension for Commissioner Roger Goodell. Falcons owner Arthur Blank, the head of the NFL’s Compensation Committee, released a statement disputing Jones’ claim that owners have been “misled” regarding “critical facts” about the negotiations.
Steelers’ Haden out
Pittsburgh cornerback Joe Haden suffered a slight fracture of his left leg in Sunday’s win over Indianapolis, but the Steelers hope to have the veteran back this season. Coty Sensabaugh will get the first crack at replacing Haden, who had 16 tackles and an interception in nine starts. Sensabaugh finished with three tackles against the Colts and broke up a pass for T.Y. Hilton.
Etc.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins will miss the rest of the season with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee . ... Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns is out indefinitely with an injured right ankle. He has 36 receptions for 446 yards and two touchdowns . ... Oakland Raiders rookie cornerback Gareon Conley was placed on injured reserve after playing only two games . ... The Kansas City Chiefs released backup defensive tackle Roy Miller two days after he was arrested and accused of domestic battery . ... New York Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch issued a statement saying while they are frustrated with the team’s 1-8 record, they won’t make any moves until the end of the season.