Cowboys Injury Update

While the Cowboys starters are healthy, the Cowboys special teams units have taken huge hits this preseason and now two more guys are going to miss significant time. 

Cornerback Alan Ball suffered a concussion during Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers and its unknown if he'll play this Friday against the Vikings.  If his health has improved by week's end, he'll still have to take the mandated concussion test before the NFL will allow him to play.

Outside linebacker Jason Williams has a high ankle sprain and will be out four to six weeks.  Williams wasn't expected to contribute much in Dallas' defense, but was supposed to play heavily on the Cowboys special teams units.  Safety Mike Hamlin was also supposed to contribute on special teams, but he broke his wrist in Saturday's game and is now out six weeks.

This means that six of the Cowboys' draft picks from this year Williams, Hamlin, Robert Brewster, Stephen McGee and Brandon Williams and Stephen Hodge are injured.  Although Hodge maybe able to play Friday after missing most of the pre-season after having a knee scope.

This makes things hard for the Cowboys next week as they'll have to cut down to 53 players from 73.  Head Coach Wade Phillips has already said that the team will keep Hamlin and Jason Williams, but they also plan on keeping two kickers and might keep McGee, which means that's two spots that are already taken.

The players that are on the fence as far as making the team will have a enough time to prove themselves as the Cowboys haven't played their starters more than one series, both against Minnesota, in the final preseason game in the last two years.

The receiver battle will be intriguing as Kevin Olgetree is pushing for a roster spot, so it'll be interesting to see if Isaiah Stanback, Mike Jefferson (who spent last year on the practice squad) and reality show winner Jesse Holley can convince the Cowboys to keep six receivers.

Check back Thursday for the Cowboys-Vikings preview.