Getty Cowboys CB Anthony Brown
The football gods continue to taketh from the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys announced Saturday that cornerback Anthony Brown is being placed on injured reserve with a rib injury. Brown will miss a minimum of three games before being eligible to return.
In a corresponding roster move, the team promoted offensive tackle Eric Smith from the practice squad.
Like in the case of Amari Cooper, it’s somewhat of a mystery as to how Brown is hurt. The fifth-year defender was not listed on Wednesday or Thursday’s injury report. On Friday, though, he popped up as a limited participant, questionable to play in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Beat writer Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram theorized that Brown took “some friendly fire” during practice. “Must have been some hit in practice that has him on IR. Third player hurt by friendly fire starting with Gerald McCoy,” Hill added.
A quietly solid cover corner, Brown logged all 73 defensive snaps in Dallas’ Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, netting six tackles (five solo). He was filling in for starting nickleback Jourdan Lewis, who sat due to an ankle ailment.
Fortunately for the ailing organization, Lewis was a full participant in each practice and will be active for the team’s 2020 home opener. He’ll join standout rookie Trevon Diggs, Chidobe Awuzie, and Daryl Worley as the primary CBs tasked with containing an elite Atlanta passing attack led by Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones, who collected 157 yards on nine receptions last Sunday.
Brown is the sixth Cowboys player to land on IR this season, joining tackles La’el Collins (hip) and Cameron Erving (knee), linebackers Leighton Vander Esch (collarbone) and Sean Lee (sports hernia), and tight end Blake Jarwin (ACL).
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Where Smith Fits In
Added to the taxi squad earlier this month, the 2017 undrafted free agent has a whopping two games of NFL experience. Smith is a last-minute insurance policy — nothing more — in case left tackle Tyron Smith (neck) can’t suit up in Week 2.
ESPN’s Ed Werder reported Saturday that Smith will be a game-time decision. If active, Smith is a likely scratch. If inactive … well, they might need him. In such a scenario, the Cowboys are expected to start Brandon Knight on the blindside with rookie Terence Steele manning RT for Collins.
Dallas will release its list of inactives 90 minutes prior to the noon CT kickoff from AT&T Stadium. Head coach Mike McCarthy said how Smith looks Saturday — good or bad — “will probably be the determining factor” for his game status.
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