Dak Prescott’s hand injury is getting all the attention today but QB1 wasn’t the only starter knocked out of action last night. Left Guard Connor McGovern and Safety Jayron Kearse both left the game and could miss more time as the Dallas Cowboys to press on in this already difficult season.
McGovern injured his ankle early in the game, leading to Matt Farniok being inserted. Reports have it as a high ankle sprain that could take him out for at least a few games, but it’s an injury that has been known to cost players 4-6 weeks in the past.
G Connor McGovern has high ankle sprain same one he had before according to Stephen Jones on @1053thefan a week or so before he returns
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) September 12, 2022
While Farniok was the next man up last night, Dallas could change plans once OT Jason Peters is ready to go. In the interest of fielding their best five linemen, the Cowboys could move Tyler Smith back to the LG position he was preparing to play all offseason and start Peters at left tackle.
If the losses on offense weren’t bad enough, Kearse’s exit robs Dallas’ defense of a leader and one of its best playmakers from last year. Jayron exited with a knee injury last night and the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Cowboys S Jayron Kearse exited the stadium on crutches Sunday evening with what is initially considered to be a knee sprain, two people familiar with situation said. Good news: His ACL is believed to be intact. MRI on Monday.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 12, 2022
Donovan Wilson will be a full-time starter now along with Malik Hooker. This should lead to more playing time for Israel Mukuamu or Markquese Bell, both of whom were inactive for Week 1.
While the ugly loss and the Prescott injury are the major storylines coming out of last night, losing McGovern and Kearse certainly doesn’t help matters. The Cowboys are starting this season about as poorly as we could have imagined.