Cowboys face fresh injury setbacks for 49ers week as Locke, Ferguson and Goodson hit timeline limits

The Dallas Cowboys’ sprint toward getting healthy has turned into another management challenge. Roughly two weeks after key players started returning to practice, the team is once again dealing with a growing list of injuries that could limit availability for upcoming games.

On defense, PJ Locke, who had missed time earlier in the season before returning and then suffering a concussion in Week 8, is now out again. The Cowboys ruled him out Monday for the upcoming matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, and the report indicates he is expected to miss multiple games.

The injury update also hits the offense with tight end Jake Ferguson and running back Tyler Goodson. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said both players are dealing with knee injuries and will miss “multiple weeks,” tying their absence directly to an expanded short-term workload for other players in the rotation.

In the backfield and return game, the Cowboys’ needs increase as they head into the 49ers stretch. The report says KaVontae Turpin is also sidelined, ruled out ahead of kickoff versus the Indianapolis Colts with ribs, while other injured players remain in a rehab group being evaluated for availability.

Roster management becomes the central question. With the bye week not arriving until Week 14, the Cowboys face “tough decisions” about whether to carry additional players while injured teammates rehab or, if the absences move toward season-long territory, make replacement moves to protect depth on the active roster.