FRISCO, Texas – Not only will the Dallas Cowboys be without top pass rusher Micah Parsons for the second straight season due to a high left ankle sprain, they will also be without leading tackler Eric Kendricks on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Kendricks sat out Friday due to shoulder and calf injuries after not practicing during the week. The Cowboys have a bye on Oct. 20 and return to action on Oct. 27 against the San Francisco 49ers, and the hope is that Kendricks will be ready to return.

Kendricks, who has 52 tackles, has played 91.1% of 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, getting to the front line, the communication is excellent and honestly he has so much experience in that defense. Super instinctive. Very aware. Very, very disciplined player .” “

Kendricks’ potential replacement, Nick Vigil, is questionable due to a foot injury that kept him out of practice this week. The Cowboys have another practice on Saturday, so if Vigil can get through that without any problems, he could play against the Lions.

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

The Cowboys defense has been hit hard by injuries lately. In addition to Parsons’ injury in Week 4 against the New York Giants, they lost DeMarcus Lawrence to a foot injury, which has since placed him on injured reserve. Last week, rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland suffered a knee injury after four fractures and required surgery on his right knee, which landed him on injured reserve.

With Kneeland out, the Cowboys added Carl Lawson to the 53-man practice squad roster this week and made sure KJ Henry was ready for action after joining 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 due to foot surgery. He is officially questionable after practicing this week.

Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs was also in the building Friday after missing Thursday’s practice due to illness and is not injured.