Dallas Cowboys vs Tennessee Titans Inactive and Injury Reports for Thursday Night Football
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Published:
- In the Dallas Cowboys vs Tennessee Titans inactive and injury reports for Thursday Night Football, Titans RB Derrick Henry (hip) is out
- Four defensive starters are also out for Tennessee, while two others are doubtful
- Starting MLB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) is out for Dallas. See the full Cowboys vs Titans injury report here
In reality, the big news breaking in the Dallas Cowboys vs Tennessee Titans inactive and injury reports for Thursday Night Football isn’t really all that surprising.
Running back Derrick Henry (hip) is out for the Titans, but it never made a lot of sense for him to be playing in the first place.
Win or lose this game, the Titans are still going to need to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars next week to clinch the AFC South title. Better to go into that game with a rested, healthier Henry in the backfield.
Overall, the Titans are a banged-up bunch. Four defensive starters are also out for this game. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) is missing for the second straight game.
Dallas is showing just one definite absence. Starting middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) is out for the Cowboys.
No wonder then that the betting line on this game has lengthened to Dallas -13.5 in the Cowboys vs Titans picks. The NFL odds are displaying that Dallas is 3-3 ATS as a road team this season.
Kickoff at Nissan Stadium is set for 8:15 pm ET on Thursday, December 29. The game is airing exclusively on Amazon Prime as part of a new partnership for Thursday Night Football with Amazon.
The people are strongly backing the Cowboys in the Dallas vs Tennessee public betting splits. Dallas was the 10-point road chalk in the Week 17 NFL opening odds.
Dallas Cowboys Injury Report
Other than Vander Esch, there are only two other Dallas starters with an injury designation, but both are vital contributors. RB Tony Pollard (thigh) hasn’t practiced all week. He’s leading the Cowboys in rushing (988 yards) and has run for nine touchdowns.
Also hurting is SLB Micah Parsons (hand), the second betting choice in the NFL DPOY odds. He’s been limited all week in practice. Parsons has recovered two fumbles this season and recorded 14 tackles for loss.
Leighton Vander Esch (pinched nerve) doing resistance work.
Missed W16 and likely to miss W17 (TBD) as #Cowboys move cautiously to ensure he’s heathy for the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/0fq3iRsfuY
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 27, 2022
There was plenty of good news on the injury front for Dallas on the day prior to kickoff for this game. Five starters –Â LDE DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), SS Jayron Kearse (elbow), RG Zack Martin (knee), WR Noah Brown (foot) and RDE Dorance Amstrong (knee) – all saw their injury designations removed and were given full clearance to play in the TNF contest.
As well, rookie backup DE Sam Williams, involved in a car accident on December 22, cleared concussion protocol and will be playing against Tennessee.
Tennessee Titans Injury Report
While Henry’s absence is certainly the biggest injury news, Tennessee’s defense is also gutted. LDE Jeffery Simmons (ankle), RILB Zach Cunningham (elbow), SS Amani Hooker (knee) and SLB Bud Dupree (pectoral) are all out. RCB Kristian Fulton (groin) and WLB Denico Autry (biceps) are doubtful. Cunningham’s backup Dylan Cole (ankle) is also out.
Kuharsky: Derrick Henry (hip) won't play Week 17.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 29, 2022
On offense, starting RT Nicholas Petit-Frere (ankle) is out. Left guard Aaron Brewer (knee) returned to full practice and was removed from the injury list.
How Could Injuries Affect Cowboys vs Titans Lines?
With two-time NFL rushing champion Henry out and Dontrell Hilliard on IR, Hassan Haskins (11 carries, 50 yards) is the next-busiest back this season on Tennessee’s active roster. Something to ponder when considering the Cowboys vs Titans player props.
Minus Tannehill, Rookie Malik Willis has yet to throw for 100 yards or a TD in any of his three NFL starts. Thus, news is breaking that the Titans are opting to start Joshua Dobbs against the Cowboys. He was just signed off the Detroit Lions’ practice eight days ago. Dobbs would be making his first NFL start.
With two starting LB out and a third doubtful, Tennessee is showing only six LB without an injury designation. Backup free safety Josh Thompson (concussion) is also out.
Much like Tennessee’s decision regarding Henry, the Cowboys, with a playoff spot already locked up, may simply opt to rest Pollard for this game. Parsons has been limited in practice. He’s expected to play, but his snap counts are likely to be monitored.
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Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
