Amari Cooper, Tyron Smith among key Cowboys starters expected to play vs. Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys have a pivotal NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and the Cowboys might be getting some key contributors back just in time for the game. According to multiple reports on Friday, offensive tackles Tyron Smith (ankle) and La'el Collins (knee), receivers Amari Cooper (ankle/quad) and Randall Cobb (back) and cornerback Byron Jones (hamstring) are expected to play. Though all five players are listed as questionable on the team's injury report, they are on track to play barring any setback before Sunday.

The matchup between the Cowboys and Eagles pits the two teams that are tied for the NFC East lead with 3-3 records. Sunday's winner will be alone atop the division.

Dallas enters the game on a three-game losing streak, having dropped consecutive games to the Saints, Packers and previously winless New York Jets. Despite that, the Cowboys opened as 3-point favorites over Philadelphia. As of Friday evening they were 2.5-point favorites. The total has inched up from 48.5 to 49.

The return of Cooper and Smith would be particularly significant. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has struggled without Cooper in the lineup. In eight games without the top Cowboys receiver since last season, Prescott has posted the following passing lines: 170 yards-0 TD-0 interceptions, 160-1-0, 168-1-2, 255-2-0, 208-1-2, 183-2-0, 273-1-0 and 277-0-0.

This season Cooper has 33 catches for 515 yards and five touchdowns, but he had only one reception for three yards in last week's 24-22 loss to the Jets before being forced out of the game.

Prescott and the Cowboys also haven't been the same without Smith, the team's five-time All-Pro left tackle. In 2017, Dallas averaged 8.5 points in four games in which Smith played a combined three snaps.

Only backup cornerback Anthony Brown (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game.

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