Cowboys expected to return multiple players from injured reserve list against Washington

Despite a 3-7 start to the season, good news is on the way for the Dallas Cowboys.

With mounting injuries affecting both sides of the ball since before the season began, the pressure may be alleviated with the expected return of a few players off the injured reserve list as soon as Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who has missed six games after an injection in his knee turned into an infection, had his 21-day practice window activated on Wednesday and was a limited participant in the team’s walkthrough practice. A return for the veteran receiver is expected for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. He will need to log a full practice by Saturday in order to cross that threshold.

“I feel great,” Cooks said on Wednesday. “My mindset is to go out there as if I didn’t lose a step.”

While DaRon Bland has been activated from the injured reserve for three weeks, the third-year cornerback and NFL interceptions leader from a year ago is expected to make his season debut on Sunday against Washington after suffering a foot fracture in training camp. He was a full participant in the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday.

“It’ll be great to get him back out there, but this has been a tough return to play for him,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “Today was a big day to have him out there.”

The practice window was also activated for rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland after missing five games with a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. He was also a limited walkthrough participant on Wednesday. The team is “hopeful” he will be able to practice more later in the week in order to play on Sunday against Washington, according to a source.

The team is also close to activating offensive lineman Chuma Edoga off the injured reserve. The sixth-year lineman hasn’t played in a game this season after suffering a toe injury in training camp. He had his practice window opened ahead of the team’s loss to Houston and could be used against Washington in the event that rookie Tyler Guyton’s shoulder injury lingers on into the week. He was a full participant in the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday and is expected to be put on the 53-man roster when a spot becomes available.

Of the seven remaining players on the injured reserve, two are expected to return at some point in 2024. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is trending toward a December return from his foot injury while cornerback Amani Oruwariye continues to go through rehab on a back injury with a return date not yet in mind.

Quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring), tight end John Stephens Jr. (knee), offensive lineman Nathan Thomas (knee), tackle Earl Bostick Jr. (ankle) and defensive end Sam Williams (knee) are all out for the season. Safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) is expected to join that group after suffering a gruesome dislocated shoulder injury in Sunday’s loss against the Texans.

“He’s having surgery in the near future,” McCarthy said on Bell. “He has done everything that he has been asked...We’ll definitely miss him this year.”