Cowboys Injury Update: Are Both First-Round Rookies Out For Week 9?

The Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Arizona Cardinals in overtime was bad, and it appears Brian Schottenheimer might have lost a few soldiers along the way.

The aftermath of the loss has been brutal, with many wanting serious change to come, but we know that isn't exactly Jerry Jones' method of operation.

With the Indianapolis Colts up next, who are in fire-sale mode, the thought is that this should be a get-right game for Dallas. But many thought that about Arizona.

Either way, a win against the Colts on the road now looks even tougher after Schottenheimer released the injury report on Monday.

READ MORE:  'No Words': Dak Prescott Struggles To Explain Another Cowboys Embarrassment

First-round rookie Caleb Downs and safety P.J. Locke are both in concussion protocol, while another first-round rookie in Malachi Lawrence is dealing with an ankle injury that Schottenheimer said could be a "few weeks," but there will be more testing to come.

Also undergoing testing is standout corner Joey Porter Jr., who is trying to fight through a nagging ankle problem.

“Yeah, he’s trying to battle through it,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s getting a bunch of tests done, things like that, and we’re hopeful. But as a competitor, you understand why there would be frustration.”

And lastly is tight end Jake Ferguson, who is also dealing with an ankle injury.

So, the Cowboys, who already appear to be on their knees, might not have a handful of players for the trip to Indianapolis.

Where it rains, it pours.

How the defense, which did look like it had improved, albeit against the Cardinals in the first half, only to wilt in the second half, looks this week if Downs, Locke, Ferguson, and Lawrence are out, isn't a fun thing to think about.

Having gotten gashed by Gardner Minshew and a Cardinals offense made up of third- and fourth-string players, that is nightmare fuel, and in truth, just goes with the theme of the season on defense for Dallas.

READ MORE:  DeMarvion Overshown 'Tired Of Learning Lessons' With Losing Cowboys

At 3-5, the Cowboys' season is on life-support, with many fans already pulling the plug.

This was supposed to be the stretch where the Cowboys got back on track and managed to get Schottenheimer's second win streak of his coaching tenure. And by streak, we mean winning back-to-back games.

But alas, with the division falling apart and the road forward seemingly smooth, Dallas has stumbled, and now, you can definitively say that the franchise shouldn't be buyers ahead of the trade deadline.

After one of its worst losses in the Schottenheimer era, to now dealing with another four injuries, this is a dark place for the 2026 Cowboys.

And we aren't sure if there is any light at the end of this tunnel.