Dallas Cowboys hit by another injury with defensive star out for Detroit Lions clash

Heading into Friday, the 3-1 Dallas Cowboys were already anticipating the absences of Micah Parsons , DaMarcus Lawrence, and rookie second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland along their defensive front.

Now, they'll have to weather the absence of starting middle linebacker Eric Kendricks. The 32-year-old was ruled out of Dallas's pivotal clash against the 3-1 Detroit Lions with shoulder and calf injuries.

Kendricks signed a one-year deal this offseason with the Cowboys after spending the majority of his professional career with the Minnesota Vikings . The 2015 second-round pick was a First-team All-Pro in 2019.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy was hoping to have the services of the man he calls the "quarterback" of his defense.

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"He's our quarterback. He knows [the defense] inside and out," McCarthy said earlier this week . "As far as a leadership perspective, getting the front set, the communication is outstanding, and frankly, he's got so much experience in that defense. Super instinctive. Very aware. Very, very disciplined player."

Kendricks's absence would open up the door for backup Nick Vigil to start. However, Vigil was listed as questionable in Friday's injury report and has yet to practice this week.

On a more positive note, McCarthy and company will likely have cornerback DaRon Bland back in the fold. The 2023 First-team All-Pro missed the first five games of the 2024 season thanks to an offseason foot surgery.

"He's been working, so it's not like just all of a sudden we're going to start working today," McCarthy said Wednesday of Bland's preparedness.

"He's been working with [director of rehab Britt Brown]. He's been doing football movements and skills, so it will be good to see him out there and get some work."

The Cowboys' defense has struggled to live up to their lofty expectations. New coordinator Mike Zimmer is in his first season replacing the departed Dan Quinn, who left to take the head coaching job in Washington.

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On the year, Dallas ranks 14th in yards allowed but just 22nd in scoring defense. The advanced stats are worse: the Cowboys ranked 23rd in defensive DVOA.

Parsons started the season slowly before missing the first game of his professional career last Sunday. "It's just frustrating for real," Parsons said earlier this week . "I put a lot of effort and energy into being ready for the team, so it hurts me."

"I feel like I'm letting people down. I kind of [thought] of myself as [being] invincible for a while. It's humbling. It's humbling... It's part of that test. Faith, keeping that faith alive. Come back strong."