Follow along with the very latest Cowboys updates as staff writers David Helman, Rob Phillips, Nick Eatman and Bryan Broaddus provide in-depth news and analysis.
Update On Allen Hurns' Serious Ankle Injury
(Jan. 6; 12:15 a.m.) – Wide receiver Allen Hurns suffered a serious left ankle/leg injury in the first quarter of Saturday's wild-card playoff victory over Seattle.
"He has a dislocated ankle, as well as fractures in his leg," Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said immediately after the game. "He is, at this time, probably in surgery."
Hurns' left foot bent awkwardly while he was tackled on the offense's second series. Medical staff carefully placed his injured leg in a cast and he left on a stretcher, visibly in tears. Before he exited the field, Cowboys players and coaches surrounded him to show support.
Quarterback Dak Prescott called Hurns "one of our most underrated players" because the veteran wideout knows every receiver position and could even play tight end if needed.
"Hurns is one of the best teammates I've ever had and I think anybody would say this," Prescott said. "When you see a guy like that go down, it hurts. Just seeing how nasty that was, it hurts a lot."
Said running back Ezekiel Elliott: "I'm just glad we were able to go out there and get that win for him. Just hoping that he's doing all right."
Elsewhere on the roster, wide receiver Cole Beasley sprained his ankle on the Cowboys' opening drive but was able to finish the game, catching Seattle's pooch/onside kick to seal the victory. He had three receptions for 28 yards on offense but was noticeably limping throughout the game.
Beasley has also dealt with soreness in the same foot at times this season.
"I think I'll be all right," he said. "I think I just need some time for it to calm down and then I'll be good."
-Rob Phillips
Connor Williams Answers the Challenge
(Jan. 6; 12:15 a.m.) -- There were many changes on the Cowboys' roster since the Week 3 game in Seattle. But although Connor Williams started both games at left guard, the rookie seemed like a different player on Saturday.
Playing for the injured starter Xavier Su'a-Filo (ankle), Williams held his own this time around. The Seahawks only had one sack and the Cowboys were able to rush for 164 yards – a lot of that on the left side of the line.
Dak Prescott definitely noticed.
"You had a lineman that pretty much loses his spot midway through the season then probably plays one of his best games," Prescott said of Williams. "It's just a great group that sticks together."
The Cowboys will have to make a decision next week assuming Su'a-Filo is ready to play. But Williams at least proved he could handle the pressure of a playoff game with one of his best performances.
-Nick Eatman
Big Returns From Tavon Austin vs. Seattle
(Jan. 6; 12:15 a.m.) – Tavon Austin waited two months to make a difference like he did Saturday night.
In his second game back from the groin injury that cost him nine regular-season games, Austin had five punt returns for 73 yards against the Seahawks, including a 51-yarder in the fourth quarter that flipped field position in the Cowboys' favor.
The offense scored one series later to take a commanding two-score lead in an eventual 24-22 wild-card playoff victory over Seattle.
Austin also returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, but it was wiped out by a holding penalty on safety Kavon Frazier.
"Seen a lot of green grass today," he said. "I'm thankful for that to the punt return team and the coaches for putting everything together. Hopefully I'll be seeing some more green grass and I'll be going long."
-Rob Phillips
Connor Williams To Start vs. Seattle
(Jan. 5; 5:58 p.m.) – It had long been suspected, but it's now official: Connor Williams will start in place of Xavier Su'a-Filo on Saturday night.
The Cowboys announced Su'a-Filo as one of their seven inactive players prior to Saturday's wildcard game, confirming that the veteran guard won't play against the Seahawks. He had been battling to get healthy all week after injuring his ankle last week against the Giants.
The other six inactives are Mike White, Darian Thompson, Chris Covington, Dorance Armstrong and David Irving.
This injury provides a big opportunity for Williams, who is back in the starting lineup after losing his job to Su'a-Filo when he got hurt earlier this season. The rookie started the first seven games of the season but was injured Nov. 5 against Tennessee. From that point, Su'a-Filo grabbed hold of the starting job and didn't let go.
It's just the latest twist for an offensive line that has battled injuries all season long. That dates back to the preseason, when Travis Frederick was diagnosed with Guillan-Barre Syndrome and was shut down for the entire season.
In addition to that, Tyron Smith and Zack Martin have battled various injuries all season long. Martin has been fighting a knee injury for most of the season, while Smith missed time in November with a stinger. Having said that, both veterans sat out of the regular season finale in anticipation of the playoffs, and they'll both be ready to go against the Seahawks.
The rest of the inactives are straightforward. Irving has been missing since October after spraining his ankle during practice, while White and Covington have been regulars on the inactive list. Thompson strained his groin during practice this week.
Armstrong is a healthy scratch, although that's not surprising with Tyrone Crawford returning from his neck injury. With Crawford's return, the Cowboys will have all of their primary pass rushers for the first time in several weeks.
