NFL I PRESEASON
Cowboys - Rams: NFL preseason game injury report | Nacua, Hendershot, Freeman
Key starters were always expected to sit out the Rams vs Cowboys preseason opener, but injury has already reared its ugly head for some younger players.
The NFL preseason is just getting started. The Dallas Cowboys will play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in just a few hours. While the key starters were already expected to sit this one out for both teams, there have been a few injuries to note ahead of the game for players fans were hopeful to see today.
Rams injury report preseason Week 1
Wide receiver Puka Nacua was the Rams’ standout rookie from 2023, but unfortunately the fans won’t get to see him take the field this afternoon. Head coach Sean McVay prefers not to take the risk of playing starters in the preseason, but Nacua is also dealing with a knee injury. The Rams need him to recover before the regular season opener and won’t be taking any risks there.
McVay says that Nacua’s injury is a ruptured bursa and potentially a ligament sprain, which is a bit concerning, but the injury is being monitored weekly and he is expected to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the Lions.
The Rams’ rookie sixth-round pick Beaux Limmer exited Friday’s practice early due to a thumb injury. He is competing for the backup center job behind Steve Avila. The severity of the injury is not known, but he is listed as questionable.
Fifth-round rookie Brennan Jackson has missed the last few practices due to a soft tissue injury. Jackson is competing for depth at outside linebacker looking to make the roster, but his current status is still questionable. Starting LB Ernest Jones IV is also dealing with an injury. He didn’t practice on Friday due to a lingering knee injury, the same one that kept him out of OTAs in the spring. He should be ready to go by the regular season opener.
The Rams offensive line has dealt with several injuries already. Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, and Rob Havenstein are all considered week-to-week. Last Sunday, KT Leveston suffered from an ankle injury and backup right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. has been playing through an ankle injury as well. All are listed as questionable.
Cowboys injury report preseason Week 1
Last season, the Cowboys lost two rookies to season-ending ACL injuries in the preseason - linebacker Demarion Overshown and tight end John Stephen Jr. They’ll be looking to avoid injuries this time around, especially after already having lost defensive end Sam Williams to a season-ending ACL injury early in training camp.
Although he was never expected to play today, quarterback Dak Prescott missed practice on Friday due to ankle soreness - the same ankle which was in a walking boot over the summer. The Cowboys say his missing practice is - like Dak says was the walking boot - precautionary.
Tight end Peyton Hendershot is indeed one player we were expecting to see in the Cowboys’ preseason opener, but that may not be the case. As he’s fighting for a roster spot, he finds himself dealing with a shoulder injury and missed practice from Wednesday.
Another player battling for a roster spot, running back Royce Freeman, has also sustained an injury at an inopportune time. On Monday, he left practice with a groin injury. Safety Israel Mukuamu and tight end Luke Schoonmaker join him with groin injuries as well. All are listed as questionable.
Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET. You can follow all the action LIVE by yours truly, right here on AS USA.