The Dallas Cowboys enjoyed a much-needed week off in Week 10, but they will be back in action in Week 11. When they return to the field, the team will have a great opportunity to get back in the win column, as they will be taking on the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. However, there are some injury situations worth monitoring ahead of this game.

In Week 9, the Cowboys thought they were in good shape against the Arizona Cardinals but ended up suffering a 27-17 loss. It’s clear this team needs all hands on deck for every game moving forward. With that in mind, Dallas received a trio of important injury updates regarding safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson, as well as defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, on Saturday.

### Cowboys Get Mixed Bag of Injury Updates

For much of the 2025 campaign, the Cowboys’ defense has been in the spotlight for reasons beyond their control. This is largely due to Jerry Jones’ surprising decision to trade the unit’s best player, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers right before the start of the season. As a result, the defense has been fighting just to stay afloat this year—and so far, that’s a fight they aren’t winning.

Dallas’ defense has arguably been the worst unit in the league for multiple reasons. Without a true No. 1 pass rusher, the Cowboys are struggling to get to the quarterback. This has put more pressure on a beat-up secondary to hold up in coverage, which they have not been able to do consistently.

Staying healthy is a big piece of the puzzle right now, and the team’s bye week provided a chance to give some key players a bit of rest. In the secondary, that should help both Hooker and Wilson get back on the field. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Thomas, who is expected to miss the upcoming game with a calf injury.

“DT Solomon Thomas (calf) unlikely to play,” Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram shared in a post on X. “Safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson ‘trending toward playing.’”

### Cowboys Need to Beat Raiders to Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive

At the NFL trade deadline, the Cowboys made a pair of moves to bolster their defense, acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson. Both players are expected to play significant roles immediately, especially Williams, given Thomas’s expected absence for this game.

If there’s a team that has been worse than Dallas this season, it’s the Las Vegas Raiders. This should give the well-rested Cowboys a solid chance to come out on top. However, as we saw in Week 9, nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, even when one team appears to be a significant favorite over the other.

For the second straight game, Dallas will be playing on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. This game represents a crucial opportunity for the Cowboys to bounce back and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
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