Not only did they lose more key pieces, it was the timing of those injuries contributed to the Cowboys losing another game.
According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, running back Lance Dunbar is “almost certainly” lost for the season with last night’s knee injury, the most dramatic of a long list.
They were also without linebacker Sean Lee for the second half with a concussion, but it was another linebacker injury that left them thin at the wrong moment.
On the play before C.J. Spiller’s game-winning touchdown in overtime, Cowboys linebacker Andrew Gachkar went out with a foot injury. That left rookie Damien Wilson chasing Spiller in vain, with the Saints taking advantage of his inexperience for the 80-yard winner.
The Cowboys will get defensive end Greg Hardy and linebacker Rolando McClain back from suspensions, but they’ll be without Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and likely Randy Gregory either.
“You’ve got no choice [but to bounce back],” cornerback Morris Claiborne said. “That’s our job. Even though you don’t want to or not, you have to because that’s the only way. We’ve got another game next week.
“It’s a long season. Our destiny isn’t written yet. We’ve just got to put this one behind us and find a way. We’ve got a lot of guys injured, but they’re going to be out and injured next week too. And the guys in the locker room, we’re going to have to find a way to get it done.”
Of course, the number of guys in there who are healthy enough to help is dwindling, and continues to shrink by the week.