Injuries have been a recurring concern for the San Francisco 49ers, but Dallas is also dealing with a lengthy list of unavailable players ahead of the teams’ important matchup. Five Cowboys have been ruled out, while several others remain questionable.
Outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku (ankle), tight end Jake Ferguson (knee and ankle), running back Tyler Goodson (knee and ankle), safety P.J. Locke (concussion) and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (ankle and foot) will all miss the game.
All five were reported to be managing injuries after Dallas’ 27–23 Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Ferguson scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown before leaving after being hit in the third quarter. He sustained a posterior cruciate ligament sprain and medial collateral ligament injuries in his left knee. His absence was anticipated after head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Ferguson would miss a few games.
Goodson injured his knee during the Colts game but returned to action, finishing with 77 receiving yards. Locke, a starter, suffered a concussion—his second of the season. Ezeiruaku is sidelined by an ankle injury, leaving Dallas without one of its pass-rushing options.
With Ezeiruaku unavailable, Von Miller, Marist Liufau and James Houston could see more defensive snaps. His absence is expected to reduce the Cowboys’ pass-rushing depth. None of the five players who have been ruled out practiced on Wednesday or Thursday.
Schottenheimer said the team would continue monitoring Goodson after additional examinations and scans revealed issues that needed attention.
“A lot of these guys, they play on adrenaline, and this is a guy that has been incredible for us really the last two weeks,” Schottenheimer said. “And these guys, they want to tough it out. They care. They want to win. They want to do whatever it takes. And just doing some more exams and scans and things like that, a few things showed up that we’ll keep an eye for.”
The injury list also includes three players whose status remains uncertain: defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (calf), safety Alijah Clark (illness) and cornerback Devin Moore (hip). Bullard was on injured reserve the previous week.
## Joey Porter Jr. and Daron Bland Also Dealing With Injuries
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who joined Dallas after being traded by Pittsburgh, and cornerback Daron Bland are also managing injuries. Porter was sick before the Cowboys’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was sent home after his condition worsened. Bland was also sent home from practice soon afterward.
Both players are dealing with ankle injuries, while Porter is also experiencing a heel issue. He described the problem as affecting his entire foot and said it had worsened while he continued playing. Porter added that the situation was frustrating because he wanted to show his new teammates what he could do, and felt he had done so when available.
The injuries add to the pressure on a Dallas team that made significant changes on defense before the season. The Cowboys now face a difficult test against a 49ers team that has a 7–1 record.
The defensive secondary is a particular concern. Locke is in concussion protocol, while Jalen Thomas is on injured reserve. Cornerback Cobie Durant missed time before returning against the Eagles. Rookie defensive back Caleb Downs also suffered a concussion in the game against the Cardinals, but was able to return for the matchup with Indianapolis.
With multiple players unavailable or uncertain, Dallas could have fewer options across its defense, especially in the secondary and pass rush. Schottenheimer acknowledged the challenge but emphasized the team’s focus on the game.
“We’ve got to handle our business,” he said, describing San Francisco as a “really good opponent.”
