Dallas Cowboys Bench Three Key Starters, Including George Pickens, for Colts Showdown

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys entered Sunday's matchup with the Indianapolis Colts without three starters due to injuries, including wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens had been listed on the injury report throughout the week with shoulder and hamstring ailments.

Pickens ranks second on the Cowboys (3-5) with 39 catches for 533 yards and has also recorded two touchdown receptions. Also inactive for Dallas are cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is dealing with an ankle injury, and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who has back and hamstring issues.

Meanwhile, all of the Colts players rumored to be on the trading block—running back Jonathan Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones, and receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen—are active and are expected to see their usual workload against the Cowboys. The trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon.

Indianapolis (2-6) has already made two trades and fired general manager Chris Ballard over the past three weeks. The Colts will be without three key defensive players: cornerback Justin Walley, safety A.J. Haulcy, and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, all of whom are injured.

Key Analysis

The absence of Pickens removes a significant target from the Cowboys' passing game, while the Colts' decision to keep their trade candidates active suggests they remain focused on competing in the short term. With both teams dealing with key injuries, the depth of their rosters will be tested in this interconference matchup.

Originally reported by yourvalley_net.