The road to Rio de Janeiro is off to a rocky start for the Dallas Cowboys. Four different defenders won't face the Baltimore Ravens. Which already gets Lamar Jackson the edge amid these NFL injuries.
Dallas and head coach Brian Schottenheimer will have three missing in the secondary too, making this matchup all the more concerning. Cornerback Cobie Durant is one name who's out, along with safeties Malik Hooker and PJ Locke. But linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is the fourth who'll sit this one out.
None of these names will travel south of the Equator for the contest, per the waiver wire. So this means the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Jackson will face four different reserves on the field.
And Dallas versus Baltimore rises as a massive test for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He not only must rearrange the two-deep on defense. Or even draw up schemes to counter Jackson. Even perennial Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry is on the other side of the field.
Although star wide receiver Zay Flowers landed on the injury report too for the Ravens. He was not a practice participant for the Wednesday or Thursday sessions. Fellow wide receiver Chris Moore was limited during the week too. Baltimore already is operating without rookie wideout Ja'Kobi Lane, who's dealing with an injured wrist.
Both teams enter this contest in Brazil 1-1 overall. Although Dallas is fresh off its huge NFC East win over Washington which saw quarterback Dak Prescott rewrite the franchise record books for touchdown throws. But again, Jackson is looking like he has the advantage here amid the pileup of defensive injuries.