Cowboys rule out Eric Kendricks for Lions game

FRISCO, Texas – Not only will the Dallas Cowboys be without top pass rusher Micah Parsons for the second straight game because of a sprained left ankle, but they will also be without leading tackler Eric on Sunday against the Detroit Lions Kendricks waive.

Kendricks was sidelined Friday with shoulder and calf injuries after not practicing during the week. The Cowboys have their bye on October 20th and return to play on October 27th against the San Francisco 49ers, and the hope is that Kendricks will be ready to return.

Kendricks, who is credited with 52 tackles, has played 91.1% of the snaps this season. He also has 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 3 quarterback pressures, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 2 pass deflections.

“He's our quarterback,” coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week about Kendricks' importance to the defense. “He knows (the defense) inside and out. From a leadership perspective, the communication going forward is excellent and he honestly has so much experience in this defense. Super instinctive. Very conscious. Very, very disciplined player.” “

Kendricks' possible replacement, Nick Vigil, is questionable since he was unable to participate in practice this week due to a foot injury. The Cowboys have another practice on Saturday. So if Vigil gets through this without any issues, he could play against the Lions.

With Kendricks out, the Cowboys should sign linebacker Darius Harris from the practice squad on Saturday.

The Cowboys' defense has been hit hard by injuries recently. In addition to Parsons' injury in Week 4 against the New York Giants, they lost DeMarcus Lawrence to a foot injury that placed him on injured reserve ever since. Last week, rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland suffered a knee injury after four snaps and underwent right knee surgery, landing him on injured reserve.

With Kneeland out, the Cowboys added Carl Lawson to the 53-man roster this week from the practice squad and made KJ Henry available for action after he joined the team last week.

It's not all bad news for the defense. Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland, who led the NFL with nine interceptions last year and set a league record with five returns for a touchdown, could make his season debut after missing the first five games because of foot surgery. He is officially questionable after completing practice this week.

Additionally, Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs was in the building Friday after missing Thursday's practice due to illness and is not carrying injury status.