The Cowboys will enter Sunday's Wild Card Round matchup against the Green Bay Packers relatively healthy, but two key players' statuses are up in the air at the outset of the team's preparations this week.
Starting left guard Tyler Smith and cornerback Stephon Gilmore aren't assured of playing on Sunday due to foot and shoulder injuries, but Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is feeling confident about their chances of suiting up.
"I’m really optimistic that we’ll see Tyler back. ... I personally believe he'll be back playing," Jones said Tuesday during his visit with Shan, RJ and Bobby on 105.3 The Fan.
Smith suffered a torn plantar fascia in Dallas' Week 17 win over Detroit, but the injury gives him a better chance of playing than had he suffered a partial tear. The team played it safe with the second-year player and sat him out of the season final in Washington.
As for Gilmore, who had a dislocated shoulder in the win over Washington, Jones believes there is a 'realistic chance' that Gilmore can go on Sunday, but the All-Pro corner will likely be limited in practice all week.
“It could have been worse. ... Is it a realistic chance to count on him, as we get ready to get the team ready to go this week? The answer is yes. Yes, we’ll count on him."
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said at his press briefing Monday that Dallas received good news on Gilmore's shoulder.
"He (Gilmore) definitely feels good about the opportunity to play Sunday. It was better than we anticipated."
ESPN's Todd Archer reported Monday that "the belief is he will be available Sunday and wear a harness for extra support for his right shoulder."