The Dallas Cowboys will look to recover from a Week 15 thrashing when playing the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. They’ll hope to have a few key players missing from Wednesday’s practice.
Per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence, Johnathan Hankins, and Malik Hooker weren’t spotted on their practice field in Frisco.
Cowboys practicing today at The Star. No practice for Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyron Smith, Malik Hooker, Johnathan Hankins pic.twitter.com/TmNuG3ywXw
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 20, 2023
Martin left Sunday’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills early with a quad contusion. The eight-time Pro Bowl guard is aiming to play this weekend.
“A fluke thing, I guess. … I’m hoping, this week, to treat it and get it ready to go on Sunday. I feel good about that,” Martin said Monday, per team reporter Patrik Walker.
With Hankins sidelined due to a high ankle sprain, Dallas allowed 266 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Buffalo. The Cowboys could have a long day against Miami’s No. 4 rushing offense if the defensive tackle doesn’t return.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Hooker plans to practice Thursday. The safety missed last Sunday’s game with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Smith and Lawrence may have simply received a veteran’s rest day. Lawrence hasn’t missed a game since 2021, and Smith has played every snap in four straight contests.
Dallas may mitigate its injury damage, but the Dolphins look even more banged up ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe said running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, shutdown cornerback Xavien Howard, and the “entire starting” offensive line weren’t seen at Wednesday’s practice.