The Dallas Cowboys may have won their matchup against the Redskins, but they seem to lose more and more players every game. However, due to these injuries, guys who would not normally see the playing field on game day are getting a chance to step up and show what they can do.
The Cowboys came out on top against the Redskins on Sunday, winning 31-16 and improving their record to 3-3. Unfortunately, both running back DeMarco Murray and defensive end DeMarcus Ware, two of the Cowboys’ top players, left the game before halftime due to injury. Murray has 91 carries, 428 yards, and three touchdowns on the year, while Ware also stands out with 19 tackles, four sacks, and one interception this season.
Joseph Randle came in for Murray, who left with a sprained left knee, and ended up scoring a 1-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter, the Cowboys’ final points of the game. Randle posted his first numbers this season against the Redskins, and came out with 11 carries, 17 yards and the touchdown.
A big change up came though with the loss of Ware on the defensive line. Ware holds the franchise’s all-time record for sacks, but Dallas’s defense showed great tenacity after he went down as they battled against Robert Griffin III’s well-polished offense. Griffin put up a stellar performance, going 19-39 with 246 yards, but Dallas had a strong response. Kyle Wilber, just a second-year pro from Wake Forest, came in for Ware and recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
It was the Dallas special teams, though, that took over the game and ultimately assured the win - specifically wide receiver Dwayne Harris. Harris had an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown and set up another score for the Cowboys with a 90-yard kickoff return.
Dallas may be missing key players such as Miles Austin (hamstring) out the past two games, Ware (could miss three or four games), and Murray (whose MCL injury needs MRI, but could be out for just one week), but Wilber and Harris showed their grit and ability on the field Sunday evening. As two younger players, they often aren’t given a chance in the spotlight, but with this many injuries they’re the type of players getting a chance to show what they can do.
It remains to be seen if these young players can continue to perform throughout an entire game, but they’ll have their chance as they head on to face the 3-3 Eagles on October 20th. It’ll be interesting to see how the young Cowboys look against the Eagles – it’s well known that veterans are the safest players to have out on the field, and their experience and knowledge of the game can be the difference when difficult situations arise.
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