‘It Popped Out!’ Cowboys Get Positive Results On Stephon Gilmore MRI
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore injured his right shoulder in a Week 18 win over the Washington Commanders Sunday, but the Dallas Cowboys got positive news Monday on the five-time Pro Bowler's status as they prepare for the postseason.
Gilmore underwent an MRI on his right shoulder Monday and it that exam reportedly showed no significant damage - confirming what Gilmore himself said.
"It popped out, and they popped it back in place," Gilmore said.
Gilmore sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's NFC East-clinching victory over the Commanders, departing after unsuccessfully trying to knock down a pass for receiver Terry McLaurin. But after the 38-10 win, Gilmore was adamant that he planned to play in Sunday's Wild Card matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Said Gilmore: “It feels great now. I’m excited for next week."
Gilmore may not be the same player he was when he won Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the New England Patriots in 2019, but he still earned a 74.4 Pro Football Focus grade for his first year with the Cowboys, which featured 68 combined tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Between Gilmore's addition in an offseason trade with the Indianapolis Colts and a breakout season from fellow cornerback Daron Bland, the Cowboys have been able to overcome the loss of former All-Pro Trevon Diggs to a torn left ACL in September.
With Division Title, Cowboys Keep 19-Year NFC East Streak Alive
While much is made of the fact that the Cowboys haven't reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, to have an opportunity to snap that streak, they will first need to defeat the Packers and return to the Divisional Round for the third year in a row. Gilmore and the Cowboys have opened as 7.5-point home favorites over quarterback Jordan Love and a young Packers team.