The Dallas Cowboys’ preparations for a high-stakes Sunday Night Football showdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field have hit an immediate wall. Following an embarrassing Week 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas returned to practice at The Star on Wednesday—only to reveal a troubling Week 6 injury report featuring five players sidelined and key starters limited.
With head coach Brian Schottenheimer executing a defensive reshuffle and first-year coordinator Christian Parker moving to the coaching booth, physical health remains a massive hurdle for America’s Team as they scramble to save their 2-3 season.
Five DNP: Secondary Depleted Ahead of Packers Clash
The official Wednesday injury report confirmed that five players logged a Did Not Participate (DNP) tag, leaving multiple positional groups dangerously thin:
- DeMarvion Overshown (LB): Sidelined since the season opener with a persistent hamstring issue. While the coaching staff expressed optimism regarding a Week 6 return, missing Wednesday’s session keeps his status firmly in doubt.
- Cobie Durant (CB): Missed extended time after entering the season expected to anchor a primary starting corner role.
- Ameer Speed (CB): Sidelined due to ongoing physical setbacks, further gutting secondary depth.
- Drew Shelton (OT): Missed practice to leave swing tackle depth uncertain.
- Von Miller (EDGE): The veteran pass-rusher was given a standard veteran rest day and is expected to return to practice on Thursday.
| Player | Position | Wednesday Status | Primary Injury / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeMarvion Overshown | LB | DNP | Nagging Hamstring |
| Cobie Durant | CB | DNP | Undisclosed / Secondary Depth |
| Ameer Speed | CB | DNP | Undisclosed |
| Drew Shelton | OT | DNP | Undisclosed |
| Von Miller | EDGE | DNP | Veteran Rest Day |
| Joey Porter Jr. | CB | Limited | Ankle Injury |
Joey Porter Jr. Limited: Cornerback Unit in Jeopardy
Adding to the panic in the secondary, marquee offseason acquisition Joey Porter Jr. was restricted to limited participation on Wednesday due to an ankle injury.
Porter Jr. missed last week’s loss to Tampa Bay due to illness, and his compromised health comes at the worst possible moment for a Cowboys defense that ranks last in the NFL in EPA per play and success rate.
Facing Green Bay’s explosive passing attack at Lambeau Field without full health across the secondary could prove fatal to Dallas’ defensive game plan.
Race Against the Clock Before Sunday Night
Dallas benefited from three additional rest days following their Thursday Night Football outing in Week 5. However, unless Overshown, Durant, and Porter Jr. progress to full practice participation on Thursday or Friday, Schottenheimer and Parker will be forced to field a heavily depleted defense against the Packers.
With Green Bay hungry to capitalize on Dallas’ internal instability, the next 48 hours of medical updates will determine whether the Cowboys can survive one of the toughest road environments in professional football.
