Cowboys Release Final Injury Report for Week 18 Finale vs Giants: Five Players Ruled Out

The Dallas Cowboys have officially released their final injury report of the 2025–26 NFL season, and it comes with notable absences as the team prepares to close the year against the New York Giants in Week 18.

With no postseason berth on the line, the Cowboys will still take the field with several of their offensive stars available. However, injuries—particularly in the backfield and on defense—have forced Dallas to rule out five players for Sunday’s divisional matchup at MetLife Stadium.

Cowboys’ Running Game Hit Hard by Injuries

While Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens are all expected to be active, the Cowboys’ running back room has taken a significant blow.

Javonte Williams, the team’s leading rusher, has been officially ruled out for the Week 18 finale. Williams is coming off a career-best season and is set to enter free agency this offseason, making his absence particularly notable as Dallas evaluates its long-term plans at running back.

The situation is further complicated by the absence of backup running back Malik Davis, who had carved out an increased role late in the season. With both veteran backs unavailable, the Cowboys will lean heavily on youth to finish the year.

Rookie Backs Set to Shoulder the Load

With Williams and Davis sidelined, rookie running back Jaydon Blue is expected to take on a leading role against the Giants. Dallas may also turn to Phil Mafah, giving the coaching staff a valuable opportunity to evaluate young talent in live-game conditions.

The Week 18 matchup offers a low-risk environment for the Cowboys to assess depth and potential contributors heading into the offseason.

Defensive Absences: Overshown and Revel Ruled Out

On the defensive side of the ball, Dallas will be without two important contributors:

• Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown

• Rookie cornerback Shavon Revel

Both players remain in concussion protocol and have been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game. Their absence weakens a defense that has already dealt with inconsistency throughout the season.

With Revel unavailable, the Cowboys may opt to activate cornerback Josh Butler, who has yet to make his 2025 debut after recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2024 season. Butler’s potential return would mark a significant milestone in his recovery and give Dallas another evaluation opportunity before the offseason.

Cowboys-Giants Week 18 Game Information

Despite the injuries, Dallas will aim to finish the season on a strong note against a familiar NFC East rival.

Game Details:

• Matchup: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

• Date: Sunday, January 4

• Kickoff Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

• Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• TV Channel: FOX

Betting Odds (via DraftKings):

• Spread: Cowboys -3.5

• Over/Under: 49.5

(Odds subject to change)

What to Watch in the Season Finale

While the outcome will not affect the playoff picture for Dallas, Sunday’s game remains important for several reasons:

• Evaluation of young offensive and defensive players

• Insight into future roster decisions

• Final on-field reps before a potentially transformative offseason

With Jerry Jones already hinting at major changes following the Cowboys’ playoff miss, Week 18 could serve as a preview of the franchise’s next chapter.

Final Thoughts

The final injury report of the 2025–26 season highlights the physical toll of a long campaign and underscores the challenges Dallas has faced with depth and durability. Even so, the Cowboys will take the field with pride, opportunity, and an eye toward the future.

As the curtain closes on the season, all eyes will soon shift to the offseason—where coaching decisions, free agency, and the NFL Draft could reshape the Cowboys’ identity moving forward.

Sunday’s finale against the Giants is the last step before that journey begins.