Dallas Cowboys Practice Report: Johnathan Hankins Returns to Practice

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for Sunday’s must-win game against the Washington Commanders.

With a win, the Cowboys can win the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. So, it’s “all gas, no breaks” as the team starts their midweek preparations.

Dallas Cowboys Transactions

The Cowboys announced on Wednesday that they activated DL Viliami Fehoko from injured reserve.

Fehoko has yet to make his season debut, but that could change on Sunday. He was the team’s fourth-round draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

In order for Fehoko to be on the 53-man roster, the Cowboys have also placed RB Deuce Vaughn on injured reserve.

This means the earliest Vaughn could be eligible for a return would be the week of the Super Bowl if the Cowboys make it that far in the postseason.

The @dallascowboys activated DL Viliami Fehoko from Reserve/Injured on Wednesday. The club also placed RB Deuce Vaughn on Reserve/Injured.

— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR)

Dallas Cowboys Injury Report

Full participants:

• DE Junior Fehoko (Knee)
• RB Hunter Luepe (Thigh)

Limited participants:

• DE Dorance Armstrong (Ankle)
• WR Brandin Cooks (NIR-Rest)
• RB Rico Dowdle (Ankle)
• CB Stephon Gilmore (NIR-Rest)
• DT Johnathan Hankins (Knee/Ankle)

Did not participate:

• S Malik Hooker (Ankle/Illness)
• DE DeMarcus Lawrence (NIR-Rest)
• CB Jourdan Lewis (NIR-Rest)
• G Zack Martin (NIR-Rest)
• T Tyron Smith (NIR-Rest)
• G Tyler Smith (Foot)
• S Juanyeh Thomas (Illness)

Wednesday’s practice report for the Cowboys shows:

-Johnathan Hankins (knee/ankle) was limited at his first day back at practice

-a typical veteran rest day pic.twitter.com/67CPfnTrZL

— Jess Nevarez (@JessNevarez_)

DT Johnathan Hankins

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Johnathan Hankins would be limited at practice on Wednesday.

MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart

Hankins returned to practice for the first time since injuring his ankle in Week 15 against the Eagles.

The veteran defensive tackle has missed the last three games since the injury occurred, but things are looking up for a possible return this week.

OT Tyler Smith

As for Tyler Smith, McCarthy said he would work exclusively with the team’s rehab group as he works through a torn plantar fascia.

He was seen at practice working on resistance ropes with Britt Brown.

It is unclear if Smith will miss any playing time because of the foot injury. Because it was a complete tear and not a partial tear, Smith can manage the injury better.

If he does, the team has been looking at adding more depth with a familiar face, OT La’el Collins.

Although a deal has not been made yet, it seems there will be more clarity on the situation by Thursday.

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