Injuries are a storyline every week in the NFL, but it would be difficult to name a team that has had more injury luck this season than the Dallas Cowboys. Somehow their Week 11 injury report was the longest of the year.

A whopping 19 players were listed on the Cowboys’ final injury report. We’ve learned that cornerback DaRon Bland is still not ready to make his season debut. The team insists Bland is a closer, but you have to wonder if they should shut him down for the year.

Additionally, nickel corner Jourdan Lewis is out due to a neck injury. Lewis was involved in last week’s loss to the Eagles. He may have been Dallas’ defensive MVP this season, so he’s a huge loss against a Houston Texans offense that will welcome star receiver Nico Collins.

Even more alarming, CeeDee Lamb appeared on the injury report late in the week with a back injury. Lamb is questionable, but NFL Network insider Jane Slater reported that Lamb is trending to continue playing Monday night football.

The Cowboys made a slew of roster moves on Monday, including officially placing Dak Prescott on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, they signed cornerback Josh Butler to the active roster and elevated CB Kemon Hall and tight end Princeton Fant for the game.

READ MORE: Cowboys make most predictable QB signing ever after Dak Prescott injury

It’s no surprise that fullback Hunter Luepke is inactive. Luepke did not train all week due to a calf injury and was listed as questionable. The second-year pro has played 98 special teams snaps and 192 offensive snaps this season.

The Cowboys also listed guard Zack Martin as questionable with a shoulder. Martin has been struggling with this injury for weeks. The All-Pro didn’t practice Thursday but was a limited participant Friday and Saturday, but he’s ready to go.

If there’s anything positive to report, it’s that Micah Parsons (ankle), DeMarvion Overshown (knee) and Trevon Diggs (calf) have all been removed from the injury report.

The Texans’ defense will be without two starters in edge rusher Will Anderson and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, but they promoted cornerback Jeff Okudah from injured reserve.

Anderson, the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year, collected 7.5 sacks and 37 pressures in nine games before his ankle injury. His absence means Dallas can pay more attention to Danielle Hunter, who ranks ninth in the league with a pass-rush win rate of 18.2%, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Despite injuries, the odds are high against the Cowboys tonight. The Texans have been up and down this season, but the return of Nico Collins should make the difference for quarterback CJ Stroud as they look to extend Dallas’ losing streak at AT&T Stadium.

More Cowboys news and analysis