The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) were hoping that their two injured All-Pros would provide vitally needed reinforcements for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Atlanta Falcons (5-3), but alas, the defense will remain woefully undermanned when the team takes the field in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Pass-rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland are both ruled out for the Week 9 matchup, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Parsons has been sidelined with a high-ankle sprain for the last few weeks. His absence, while extremely costly, was expected after he failed to return to practice. Despite being activated off the injured reserve earlier in the week, Bland is also not ready to get back into action. The 2023 interceptions leader and record-holder for most pick-sixes in a single season (five) suffered a stress fracture in his foot during training camp and has yet to make his debut.
Both star players are incredibly important to Mike Zimmer’s defense. Parsons totaled at least 13 sacks in each of his first three years in Dallas and can be an undeniable game-wrecker when he suits up again. Bland can take the pressure off the embattled secondary, which just became even more thin following the Trevon Diggs injury news.
Can the Cowboys survive?
The Cowboys must find a way to stay afloat until these players return. Is that possible, though? This group has wandered off into largely unfamiliar territory and could be frantically racing for one of the last playoff slots. Such a scenario is surely giving Jerry Jones some sleepless nights.
