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The Dallas Cowboys have been a great November team over the past few seasons. However, the same isn't true of the Cowboys in November. Dallas is already 0-1 in the month of December in 2011. They are 7-5 and facing a difficult stretch of the schedule. With three division games remaining, the fate of Dallas is wide open. The Cowboys face the New York Giants in a huge game on December 11. This is a game that the both teams need in a big way. For Dallas, there are some injury concerns as they prepare to face New York. Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware both have health concerns heading into the huge game.
Ware has missed practice this week due to a stinger. He had the injury on December 4 against the Arizona Cardinals but managed to play. There is little reason to think that he won't play in this game as well. A stinger can vary in terms of seriousness. The real concern is that aggravating it could lead to further injuries. In most cases, a stinger won't keep a player like Ware out of the game. However, Dallas fans are likely to worry over the fact that he isn't practicing. Ware is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is a sack machine for the Cowboys. The team won't be a strong defensively without him. Dallas should expect him to start but the coming days could change that possibility.
The other injury concern involves Miles Austin. The wide receiver is back at practice and expected to play against the Giants. Of course, the Cowboys thought Austin would be back against the Cardinals. He has missed a total of six games in 2011 with the hamstring injury, including the last four. Dallas has managed to survive with the strong play of Laurent Robinson. But it is clear the team has missed Austin in other areas. With him back on the field, defenses will have to focus on him and that should open up more opportunities for other players.
The Cowboys have injury concerns, but at least they can take a positive outlook on them. At this point, fans should expect both Austin and Ware on the field against the Giants. Of course, those fans would much rather have both players be 100 percent. They might not find that out for sure until game time.
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