PLAYER NOTES
–WR Tavon Austin did not practice on Wednesday with a groin injury. He missed the last three games and is questionable at best this week.
–DE Taco Charlton left the Tennessee game with a shoulder injury. He didn’t play against Philadelphia and didn’t practice on Wednesday.
–DT Maliek Collins left the Philadelphia game with a knee injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday.
–DE Randy Gregory had arthroscopic knee surgery during the bye week and didn’t play against Tennessee. He returned to action against Philadelphia and went through full practice on Wednesday.
–DL David Irving left practice two weeks ago with a high-ankle sprain. He hasn’t played the last two games and didn’t practice on Wednesday.
–LB Sean Lee missed the Tennessee game with a groin injury that is expected to keep him out of action for several more weeks. He didn’t practice on Wednesday.
–RG Zack Martin came out of the Philadelphia game with a knee injury, but returned to the game. He didn’t practice on Wednesday.
–DE Daniel Ross injured his calf just before the start of the Philadelphia game and didn’t play. He didn’t practice on Wednesday.
–LT Tyron Smith missed practice on Wednesday with a back issue. He played on Sunday against Philadelphia.
–TE Geoff Swaim sprained his left MCL during the Cowboys’ loss at Washington. He didn’t play against Tennessee, but returned to action against Philadelphia. He went through full practice on Wednesday.
–LB Joe Thomas hasn’t played in the last for games, but he returned to limited work in practice on Wednesday.
–LG Connor Williams injured a knee against Tennessee. He missed practice last week when he had arthroscopic surgery. He returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday.
–DT Antwaun Woods didn’t practice on Wednesday with a concussion.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Ezekiel Elliott is getting close to notching THE second 1,000-yard season of his NFL career. Elliott rushed for an NFL-leading 1,631 yards as a rookie in 2016. He came up 17 yards shot of 1,000 in 2017 despite a 6-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. Elliott has 831 through nine games. He has four games over 100 rushing yards this season and two games in which his combined rushing and receiving topped 180.
GAME PLAN: It seems vital that the Cowboys start fast on offense, both to capitalize on the momentum they established in Philadelphia and to offset the Falcons’ prolific offensive weapons. To do that, Dallas likely needs to utilize wide receiver Amari Cooper, and possibly wide receiver Cole Beasley and/or tight end Geoff Swaim, and quarterback Dak Prescott running the ball early. Doing that will help spread out the Atlanta defense so that running back Ezekiel Elliott can exploit it.
Defensively, Dallas would like to get healthier on the defensive line so it can keep fresh players pressuring Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Atlanta is a pass-heavy offense, especially with running back Devonta Freeman on injured reserve. The Falcons’ one-two punch of Freeman and Tevin Coleman is now limited to Coleman and he has rushed for more than 55 yards just once with Freeman out. So look for linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch to blitz more often and help the Cowboys defensive backs as they try to cover wide redeiver Julio Jones and Co.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Cowboys WR Amari Cooper vs. Falcons WR Julio Jones. Although Cooper and Jones won’t be on the field at the same time, the Cowboys-Falcons matchup could come down to which former Alabama star receiver has a bigger day. Cooper, whom Dallas acquired last month for a first-round draft pick, has become quarterback Dak Prescott’s favorite target. Meanwhile, Jones has been a prime weapon in the Atlanta arsenal since the Falcons drafted him with the sixth overall pick in the first round in 2011. Jones is riding a streak of four straight 100-yard receiving games. Of course, if the game comes down to an Alabama alum making plays, the Falcons might have the advantage with the bonus of rookie Calvin Ridley.
–Falcons QB Matt Ryan vs. Cowboys DBs. The Cowboys have been pleased with the play of CBs Chidobe Awuzie and Byron Jones. Safeties Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath have been excellent at times as well. On Sunday, Woods came up with three solo tackles and three pass deflections while Heath made eight stops. But they’ll be challenged against the Falcons’ prolific passing game. Ryan is the No. 3 passer in the NFL this season with 3,015 yards and 21 touchdowns with just three interceptions so far this season. Dallas has to clamp down on Alabama receiver products Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, but Ryan can still spread the ball around. Atlanta has six players with 17 or more receptions this season.
