NFL Week 9 Injuries: Cowboys still without Parsons, Metcalf not able to play for Seahawks

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys will have to wait at least another week for the return of pass rusher Micah Parsons and record-setting cornerback DaRon Bland.

Parsons was ruled out for a fourth consecutive game with a high ankle sprain, and Bland’s season debut won’t come Sunday at Atlanta after surgery for a stress fracture in his foot late in the preseason.

The Cowboys (3-4) have had trouble generating pressure on quarterbacks without Parsons and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who is on injured reserve with a foot injury. Both were injured Sept. 26 against the New York Giants.

Bland, who set an NFL record by returning five interceptions for touchdowns last season, was activated off injured reserve this week, meaning the Cowboys had to find a roster spot for him.

Dallas cleared room for Bland by putting cornerback Amani Oruwariye on IR after he hurt his back in last weekend’s 30-24 loss at San Francisco.

Parsons is missing games because of an injury for the first time in his three-plus seasons. The two-time All-Pro and Lawrence are by far the most accomplished pass rushers on the Dallas roster.

The Cowboys are on their second two-game losing streak of the season going into the visit to the NFC South-leading Falcons. Dallas lost consecutive games just twice in the three previous seasons combined while making the playoffs at 12-5 each year.

Rookie cornerback Caelen Carson, who was Bland’s replacement to start the season, is listed as questionable after missing the past four games with a shoulder injury.

Dallas also ruled out defensive tackle Jordan Phillips even though he was a full practice participant all week. Phillips spent time on IR with a wrist injury.

Metcalf not able to play to suit up for Seahawks vs. Rams

The Seattle Seahawks will be without top receiver DK Metcalf for Sunday’s NFC West clash against the Los Angeles Rams.

It will be Metcalf’s second straight game he will miss because of an MCL sprain he suffered on Oct. 20 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Metcalf has 35 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns through seven games this season and currently ranks eighth in the NFL in receiving yards.

Tight end Noah Fant was also ruled out with a groin injury.

Dolphins without starting tackle Sieler vs. Bills

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins will likely be without four starters when they travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Defensive tackle Zach Sieler (eye), tight end Julian Hill (shoulder) and cornerback Kader Kohou (neck) were ruled out Friday afternoon.

Tyreek Hill has been dealing with a foot injury the past couple of weeks but will continue to play through it, coach Mike McDaniel said.

Kohou and Sieler, who was poked in the eye at practice last Thursday, will miss their second straight game. Julian Hill injured his shoulder in the first quarter last Sunday against Arizona. None of them practiced this week.

McDaniel said Sieler will wear a visor when he returns to the field. Da’Shawn Hand will likely start in Sieler’s place Sunday for the second straight week.

“You need to be able to see and you don’t want to do anything to your eyes if you can prevent it,” McDaniel said Friday. “If it was just performance-based, I think he would probably be out there regardless, but you have to prevent him from further injury and that’s where the motive is.”

Safety Jevon Holland likely won’t play after injuring his knee against the Cardinals. Holland, who is already nursing a hand injury from Week 5, also did not practice.

Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye are expected to be Miami’s starting safeties.

Browns CB Denzel Ward still not cleared to play

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward returned to practice Friday and could be cleared to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering his sixth documented concussion last week.

Ward is listed on the injury report as questionable. He’s progressed all week and was given the go-ahead to get back on the field, the final hurdle before he can be cleared from league concussion protocol.

The 27-year-old got hurt in the second half of last week’s 29-24 win over Baltimore. Ward said earlier this season that he visited a concussion specialist in the offseason with family members and feels confident he’s not putting himself at any risk of long-term complications despite his history of head injuries.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Ward is having one of his best seasons. He’s been credited with a league-high 13 passes defended but has yet to get his first interception.

After sitting out earlier this week, Browns left guard Joel Bitonio (foot) and tight end David Njoku (ankle/hand) were also back at practice. Both Pro Bowlers are expected to play against the Chargers (4-3).

The Browns (2-6) will be thin at linebacker this week with both Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jordan Hicks ruled out.

Cleveland’s leading tackler, Owusu-Koramoah sustained a neck injury in the third quarter last week when he was hit while tackling Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Owusu-Koramoah was immobilized and taken off the field onsa cart before being hospitalized overnight.

Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (ankle) was added to the injury report Friday, further impacting Cleveland’s depth.

Giants to use rookie kicker with Joseph out

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants kicker Greg Joseph has been ruled out for the team’s game Sunday at home against the Washington Commanders because of an abdomen injury.

Joseph was a surprise scratch Friday after not being listed on the injury report all week. His absence leaves the Giants with another glaring special teams question yet again against Washington.

With Graham Gano still unavailable after getting hurt on the opening kickoff of the team’s Week 2 game at the Commanders, rookie Jude McAtamney is in line to be elevated from the practice squad and play. McAtamney, a 24-year-old from Northern Ireland, played two Division I college seasons at Rutgers.

The Giants lost 21-18 at Washington in the teams’ first matchup this season after scoring three touchdowns but failing to convert an extra point and a pair of 2-point conversions with Gano sidelined because of a hamstring injury. Gano was added to the injury report late that week with a groin injury, but the team opted against elevating McAtamney as an insurance policy.

Joseph had made 13 of 16 field goal attempts since signing with New York. The team did get some positive news Friday with running back Tyrone Tracy cleared to play after going through concussion protocol.