Injury bug strikes Dallas Cowboys again as cornerbacks Awuzie, Diggs latest victims

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FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys continue to be plagued by a rash of injuries with starting cornerbacks Chido Awuzie and Trevon Diggs being the latest.

Awuzie will be out multiple weeks because of a hamstring injury suffered against the Atlanta Falcons, according to coach Mike McCarthy.

And Diggs, the rookie second-round pick, missed practice on Wednesday with an injured shoulder.

The cornerback injuries couldn’t have come at worse time as the Cowboys play at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown nine touchdown passes in his first two games.

Receiver D.J. Metcalf just embarrassed New England cornerback Stephen Gilmore, the NFL’s reigning defensive player of the year, with four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.

The Cowboys hope Diggs will be ready to go against the Seahawks.

Awuzie will be the sixth starter to miss at least one game due to injury.

To make up for the loss of Awuzie, the Cowboys will give veteran defensive back Brandon Carr more reps at cornerback.

Carr, 34, signed with the Cowboys before the start of the season to provide some depth at safety but he is a career cornerback, playing 11 of 12 years solely at the position. So he is an option to start opposite Diggs along with Daryl Worley, C.J. Goodwin and nickel back Jourdan Lewis.

All that is contingent on Diggs being ready to go himself.

Left tackle Tyron Smith, who missed the Falcons game with a neck injury, spent Wednesday’s practice working on rehab and did not take part in team drills.

Owner Jerry Jones considers Smith a game-time decision Sunday.

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (knee) did practice for a personal matter.

The Cowboys already have linebacker Sean Lee (hernia) and Leighton Vander Esch (collarbone), tackles Cam Erving (knee) and La’el Collins (pelvis), tight end Blake Jarwin, cornerback Anthony Brown (ribs) and receiver Ventell Bryant (knee) on injured reserve.

Undrafted free agents Terence Steele and Brandon Knight started at left and right tackle against the Falcons and held up enough for the Cowboys to rally from 20 points down to win 40-39.

Both will likely give it a go again if Smith is not ready, though McCarthy said the team will work a couple of combinations in practice as contingency plans.

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