Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys were one of the teams hit the hardest by the injury bug in 2012, and it hurt their ability to play at a high level consistently. Some of their best players like Barry Church, Sean Lee and Bruce Carter were lost with season ending injuries during the year, while others like DeMarcus Ware and Dez Bryant fought through their injuries to play at less than 100%.
All of those injuries are in the past and no one knows what could have been for the Cowboys last year if they didn’t have to deal with them all but is it possible the Cowboys’ 2013 season comes down to health? The Cowboys have a talented roster, but things look like they could be hinging on stars that are often injured.
If the Cowboys are going to be successful in the upcoming season, they need productive and healthy years from DeMarco Murray, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Barry Church, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, just to name a few. All of these players had issues staying healthy last year and even if some of them did play the entire season, they were hampered by a nagging injury. Most of the Cowboys I just mentioned missed time and forced the Cowboys to look elsewhere for help, patching together a team that just missed out on the playoffs for a second year in a row.
Of course the Cowboys need continued good health of Tony Romo, Jason Witten and other good players to compete but looking over the Dallas roster and most of their key players have a history of injury. I like the Cowboys running back group but none of them bring the complete skill set that Murray does. As much as I love Alex Albright, he’s no Sean Lee and do I even have to mention the wide receiver spot with Austin’s hamstrings?
The list could go on and on for the Cowboys, just think about a position and you’ll find a player they can ill afford to lose but had to do without because of an injury last season. Thankfully Dallas’ scouting department does a great job filling the gaps during the season and they finally have some good depth at most positions but it’s reasonable to wonder if it all comes down to health this season.
Hopefully the Dallas Cowboys can stay healthy in 2013; their season might depend on it.
Ben is a Cowboys writer for www.Rantsports.com and you can chat with or follow him on twitter @BenGrimaldi, or add him on Google+
