Can Tyron Smith & Hankins Get Healthy for Lions 'Challenge'? Cowboys Top 10 Takes: FISH PODCAST

Can Dallas Get Tyron Smith & Johnathan Hankins Healthy for Detroit Lions 'Challenge'? Cowboys Top 10 Takes: FISH PODCAST

FRISCO - At the risk of putting a negative slant on a 10-5 season in which the Dallas Cowboys are going to the playoffs ... they are are suddenly trying to avoid a three-game losing streak with their "biggest challenge'' now on the schedule.

That's how coach Mike McCarthy is characterizing the Detroit Lions' Saturday night visit to AT&T Stadium in Week 17. And he's also characterizing the possibility that two key guys in the trenches, offensive lineman Tyron Smith and defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins, might be back in action for the game.

McCarthy said during Tuesday's press conference here inside The Star that Smith (back) and Hankins (ankle) are "getting better" and that "they have a chance" to play this week against Detroit, at a team tied with the Niners and Eagles for the best record in the NFC.

Here's the Tuesday injury report ...

#DallasCowboys/ #Lions Practice Injury Report - more at https://t.co/XpImtdZoYw pic.twitter.com/R3CiTE1rNe

— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) December 26, 2023

Tyron could help solve some offensive line issues that have come in the form of pressure on QB Dak Prescott. Over the past four games, the Cowboys have allowed an alarming 14 sacks on Prescott.

Dak's Sacks: O-Line Fails To Protect Prescott; How to Fix Recent Struggles?

Hankins has missed the last two games after sustaining an ankle injury in the second half of the team's win over Philadelphia, and the Dallas run defense has suffered as a result.

"I think (a return against) Detroit is realistic," Hankins said recently. "I'm from Detroit so it'd be nice to play against them."

Our Top 10 Takes digs into the "biggest challenge'' week with notes on CeeDee Lamb, Jimmy Johnson, Micah Parsons and more. Listen and watch via the Fish Podcast and Fish Report ... and happy holidays, Cowboys Nation!