The Monday night teams have released their injury designations, and there are some interesting names on there – injuries that could influence who you decide to use in your Week 3 games.
Most notably, Dallas has ruled out its 2nd- and 3rd-best cornerbacks, Nolan Carroll and Chidobe Awuzie. That makes for a thin secondary. Carson Palmer is an older, declining passer, but you would think he has a pretty good chance of hitting on some plays and finishing with above-average passing numbers against this group.
On the plus side for the Cowboys, Orlando Scandrick (their top corner) is ready to return from the hand injury he suffered in their opener. But one would think Larry Fitzgerald and others will catch some balls against this group.
Dallas lists three players as questionable: receivers Terrance Williams and Brice Butler, and defensive tackle Stephen Paea. Paea didn’t practice all week, and if he’s out, that would be a good thing for Chris Johnson. Johnson might not have much left in the tank, but he might come through with top-15 running back numbers this week. Williams practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, so I’m expecting he’ll be fine.
The Cardinals will be without two offensive starters: John Brown and D.J. Humphries. With the left tackle out, that’s a pretty suspect line.
With Brown out, that makes it more palatable to roll the dice on one of Arizona’s other wide receivers. Fitzgerald and Jaron Brown will start. J.J. Nelson has more big-play speed than those guys and will be on the field plenty in three-receiver sets. Nelson (hamstring) is questionable but was able to practice some in each of the last three days.
Arizona lists two other offensive starters as questionable: Jermaine Gresham (rib) and guard Mike Iupati (triceps). Both were able to practice on a limited basis all week, so they should be able to play.
DALLAS at ARIZONA
COWBOYS
OUT CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), CB Nolan Carroll (concussion), LB Anthony Hitchens (knee)
QUESTIONABLE WR Brice Butler (ankle), DT Stephen Paea (knee), WR Terrance Williams (ankle)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), CB Nolan Carroll (concussion), LB Anthony Hitchens (knee), DT Stephen Paea (knee)
Friday CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), CB Nolan Carroll (concussion), LB Anthony Hitchens (knee), DT Stephen Paea (knee), WR Terrance Williams (ankle)
Saturday CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), CB Nolan Carroll (concussion), LB Anthony Hitchens (knee), DT Stephen Paea (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday CB Orlando Scandrick (hand)
Friday WR Brice Butler (ankle), CB Orlando Scandrick (hand)
Saturday WR Brice Butler (ankle), WR Terrance Williams (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Saturday CB Orlando Scandrick (hand)
CARDINALS
OUT WR John Brown (quadricep), T D.J. Humphries (knee)
QUESTIONABLE LB Deone Bucannon (ankle), TE Jermaine Gresham (ribs), G Mike Iupati (tricep), WR J.J. Nelson (hamstring)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Thursday WR John Brown (quadricep), T D.J. Humphries (knee)
Friday WR John Brown (quadricep), T D.J. Humphries (knee), QB Carson Palmer (not injury related)
Saturday WR John Brown (quadricep), T D.J. Humphries (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Thursday LB Deone Bucannon (ankle), LB Karlos Dansby (hip), TE Jermaine Gresham (ribs), G Mike Iupati (tricep), WR J.J. Nelson (hamstring)
Friday LB Deone Bucannon (ankle), LB Karlos Dansby (hip), TE Jermaine Gresham (ribs), G Mike Iupati (tricep), WR J.J. Nelson (hamstring)
Saturday LB Deone Bucannon (ankle), TE Jermaine Gresham (ribs), G Mike Iupati (tricep), WR J.J. Nelson (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Saturday LB Karlos Dansby (hip), QB Carson Palmer (not injury related)
—Ian Allan