After an incredible 54-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys are riding high off a three-game winning streak averaging a whopping 39.8 points per game over their last five contests. Yet, a critical injury suffered against the Colts could drastically impact the rest of the Cowboys’ season and any playoff hopes.
Following their latest victory in prime time, the owner and general manager of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones, revealed that starting cornerback Anthony Brown was believed to have suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. This is massive news as Dallas is already without starting corner Jourdan Lewis, who suffered a season-ending foot injury (Lisfranc) back in Week Seven against the Detroit Lions.
Without Lewis in the lineup, fifth-round rookie cornerback Daron Bland has stepped up and excelled. On Sunday night, Bland posted a career night racking up eight total tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions. Yet, beyond the late-round rookie’s surprising play, the Cowboys’ depth chart at cornerback is thin and full of question marks.
Specifically, 2021 second-round cornerback Kelvin Joseph. Finding a niche on special teams this season, the 22-year-old has shined in his second season. But in coverage, Joseph continues to struggle. Against the Colts, he gave up an important touchdown to Indy rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce late in the third quarter, making it a much-closer 21-19 game.
The assumed loss of Anthony Brown will be felt by the Cowboys immediately as you can expect opposing offenses to focus the efforts against the inexperienced and inconsistent Kelvin Joseph. On Sunday night, Brown had a critical pass deflection late in the second quarter against the Colts that allowed safety Malik Hooker to make an interception with less than a minute left in the first half.
While it could be Daron Bland who actually replaces Anthony Brown on the outside, the Dallas Cowboys don’t have many options left on the depth chart outside of Kelvin Joseph for that presumed open third spot. Of the players remaining, barring any roster moves the Cowboys make this week, only 2021 third-rounder Nahshon Wright and special teams ace C.J. Goodwin populate the depth chart beyond starter Trevon Diggs. Safety Israel Mukuamu could also slide into corner if needed.
Regardless, the Dallas Cowboys potentially suffered a significant loss with cornerback Anthony Brown Sunday night. Someone will have to step up and replace his production. Whomever that is will be tested as the likely weakest link of what has been a stellar defensive unit in Dallas. And that could spell doom for the Cowboys’ postseason hopes.
