The stakes keep rising for the Dallas Cowboys, and Sunday Night Football is shaping up to be a critical chapter in their playoff push. With the Buccaneers taking a loss earlier in the day, and the Lions trailing the Rams, the door is cracked open for Dallas to climb the NFC standings. But before they take the field against the Vikings, the Cowboys have finalized their inactive list-and there are a few notable names that could impact how this game plays out.
Let’s start with the offensive line. Tyler Guyton, the rookie left tackle who’s been battling an ankle injury, remains out.
He was officially ruled out earlier this week, so his absence isn’t a surprise, but it does leave the Cowboys thin at a position that’s already seen its fair share of shuffling this season. Protecting the quarterback’s blind side without Guyton continues to be a challenge, especially against a Vikings front that, while not playoff-bound, still plays with pride and physicality.
Joining Guyton on the inactive list are several healthy scratches: wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, running back Jaydon Blue, defensive lineman Jay Toia, and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. None of these names are unexpected, but they do reflect where the Cowboys are leaning in terms of depth and game plan. Tolbert being inactive suggests confidence in the top of the receiving corps, while the absence of Toia and Winfrey points to a defensive front that’s likely sticking with its core rotation.
One name not on the inactive list-but still not suiting up-is Trevon Diggs. The star cornerback had expressed optimism earlier in the week about returning from injured reserve, but the team opted to hold him out at least one more week.
It’s a cautious move, and probably the right one, given how valuable Diggs is for the long haul. Still, his absence will be felt, especially against a Vikings team that, despite being eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day, can still throw the ball around.
Speaking of Minnesota, they’ll be without their starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw again this week due to a lingering knee injury. That’s a tough blow for an offense already trying to find its footing after being knocked out of the postseason picture. Without Darrisaw, protecting the quarterback becomes a taller task-especially against a Dallas pass rush that can turn a game on its head in a hurry.
So here we are: one team fighting for playoff position, the other playing for pride. The Cowboys know what’s on the line, and every inactive, every roster decision, matters just a little more under the Sunday night lights.