FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys are working through some injuries to their offensive line as they get ready for Thursday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
As the team started its preparations for the week, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Xavier Su'a-Filo were all going through rehab for various injuries.
That isn't terribly surprising, given the knocks this offensive line has taken in recent weeks. Smith is still recuperating from the stinger he suffered last week against Atlanta, which forced him to sit out of Thursday's win against Washington. Martin has been managing a knee injury for much of the last month, while Su'a-Filo tweaked his ankle on Thanksgiving.
In their place, Cam Fleming was working as the Cowboys' first-team left tackle during Sunday's practice, while Connor Williams played left guard and Adam Redmond filled in at right guard. How the Cowboys' starting trio works back into practice will be something to watch as the week goes on.
Elsewhere, the Cowboys were also without Tavon Austin, Geoff Swaim Sean Lee and David Irving. Austin and Lee are still recovering from injuries they suffered earlier this season, while Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he didn't expect to see Irving at practice on Sunday.
Swaim had surgery on his injured left wrist last week. The veteran tight end attended practice, although he obviously did not participate.
Also of note: following the Cowboys' pre-practice stretching, Ezekiel Elliott hit the locker room for what looks to be an off day. Elliott has tallied 107 touches in his last four games, an average of 27 per outing, so it makes sense that the Cowboys might try to keep him fresh heading into the home stretch of the season.
