Source: Cowboys preparing to face Eagles without Amari Cooper

Source tells SI.com that the Cowboys are preparing to face the Eagles without Amari Cooper - and maybe without two starting tackles

FRISCO - The struggling Dallas Cowboys probably don’t have anyone playing at a higher level than Amari Cooper. But at this early stage of this week of preparation for a Sunday night visit from the Eagles, the struggling Cowboys might not have Cooper at all.

I’m told the thigh bruise Cooper sustained in the early going in Sunday’s loss at the Jets is problematic enough that it could need more than just this week to heal.

Cooper has been stellar this season, entering Sunday on a pace for 1,600 yards and 16 TDs - of that despite being hampered by a collection of injuries.

Meanwhile, right tackle La'el Collins is telling the media that his knee was feeling better, but I’m told his availability is very much up in the air for Sunday. And that matches the lingering questions about left tackle Tyron Smith, who tested his ankle on the field before the Jets game and will attempt to work here at The Star this week ... with nothing promised.

Defensive backs Byron Jones and Anthony Brown are both dealing with hamstrings; coach Jason Garrett is accurate, I believe, in saying that of the two, Brown's availability is the greater concern.

Said DeMarcus Lawrence about the banged-up Cowboys:: “Ain’t no reason for us to make excuses. We’re all grown men in this locker room.”

It’s true for both the 3-3 Cowboys and the 3-3 Eagles, with first place in the NFC East on the line ... and the teams’ injury lists at the fore.