The Seattle Seahawks are doing their 2019 thing again in which they hand out 400-yard performances to any quarterback they meet. Dak Prescott just threw for 400 yards himself last week and heads to Seattle on Sunday.
But it’s not their secondary that’s the issue in Week 3. It’s the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas only gave up 273 yards to Matt Ryan, but four passing touchdowns. And that was before losing significant pieces of their defensive backfield.
Since star corner Byron Jones departed this offseason, Chidobe Awuzie and Anthony Brown were pegged as CB1 and CB2. Both are out this week.
Hamstring will keep starting CB Chidobe Awuzie out for multiple weeks, Mike McCarthy said.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) September 23, 2020
The plan to use Brandon Carr more at safety will likely wait. Team needs him more at CB.
Remember, CB Anthony Brown is also out with a rib injury.
Furthermore, rookie corner Trevon Diggs, whom the Cowboys like very much and had a stellar performance against Julio Jones, will be carrying a shoulder injury into the game against the Seahawks.
Add rookie CB Trevon Diggs to the list of injury concerns for the Cowboys. Diggs did not practice today because of a shoulder injury
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 23, 2020
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs (shoulder) is fully expected to start Sunday in Seattle, source said. Team banged up at both offensive tackle and cornerback. Situation for LT Tyron Smith (neck) is much more worrisome. Something that needs to be managed carefully over a prolonged period.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 24, 2020
Diggs is indeed expected to play, but one does not want any limitations when going up against presumably DK Metcalf. It’s a problem for Dallas either way.
But that’s not all, folks!
The Cowboys best LB in Leighton Vander Esch, who made second team All-Pro in his 2018 rookie year, is also out.
#Cowboys star LB Leighton Vander Esch suffered a fractured collarbone early in the game tonight, source said. He’ll land on Injured Reserve, a brutal blow. The nerve center of the defense and one of its top playmakers, Vander Esch’s loss stings. He’ll be back this season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2020
That’s arguably the four best players in the back seven of Dallas’ defense, with three out and one potentially hampered.
If people were cautious that Seattle would let Russell Wilson continue passing at his current rate, let’s just say it’s not going to stop this week.