**No Excuses, but… An Inside Look at the Cowboys’ Staggering Injury List**
The Dallas Cowboys have long been one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, a team with high expectations year in and year out. However, over the past several seasons, a critical and often overlooked factor has been their ever-growing injury list. In 2023, that list reached staggering proportions, and while “no excuses” is a mantra often repeated in the NFL, the sheer volume of injuries on the Cowboys’ roster cannot be ignored.
At the heart of this issue has been the Cowboys’ ability to stay competitive despite a laundry list of key players sidelined. Quarterback Dak Prescott, for instance, has faced multiple injuries in recent years, including a brutal ankle injury that cost him most of the 2020 season. In 2023, the offensive line—an area traditionally known for its strength—has been riddled with injuries to players like Tyron Smith and Zack Martin, forcing younger, less experienced players to step into pivotal roles. This disruption has had a direct impact on the team’s offensive flow, limiting both the running game and Prescott’s ability to get the ball downfield with consistency.
The defensive side of the ball hasn’t been spared either. Star linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, a key piece in the Cowboys’ defensive scheme, has had recurring neck issues, while cornerback Trevon Diggs, one of the league’s top playmakers, went down with a season-ending injury in 2023. Such losses are not easy to overcome, especially in the high-intensity world of the NFL, where every game matters.
Injuries in the NFL are inevitable to some degree, but the Cowboys’ injury woes seem to have come at the most inopportune times, often hindering the team’s ability to hit its peak performance. When key players are sidelined, depth becomes paramount, yet the Cowboys have often struggled with maintaining that depth, as many of their backups lack the experience or skill to fill in at a high level. This has meant that despite an impressive roster on paper, the team has frequently found itself unable to execute at full potential.
While the Cowboys have shown resilience and grit in the face of adversity, it’s clear that the constant battle with injuries has made their road to success more challenging. As much as the mantra of “no excuses” rings true in professional sports, the reality is that injuries—especially when they affect multiple critical positions—can be the difference between a team achieving its goals or falling short. Moving forward, the Cowboys will need to focus on improving player health, developing depth, and hoping for better fortune on the injury front if they are to break through the barriers of injury-riddled seasons.
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