The Dallas Cowboys will be without star pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their Week 5 game. Parsons suffered a high ankle sprain, while Lawrence dealt with a mid-foot sprain. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that both injuries were worse than the team anticipated, and both players are now expected to miss at least the next two games before the Cowboys’ bye weeks.

Rookie Marshawn Kneeland and depth players Chauncey Goldston and Tyrus Wheat round out the players that the Cowboys will have on their active roster right now that figure to help replace the stars.

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One or both players could feasibly end up on injured reserve and have to miss the next four games, though there was optimism that Parsons could return to the Cowboys after their Week 7 bye week.

For the Steelers, who still have tackles trying to settle in or prove the start to their season is legitimate, not facing Lawrence or Parsons boosts their chances of running the ball and protecting Justin Fields. As for the Cowboys, they sit at 2-2, but the injuries and tough schedule that are approaching leave the team in a dire position.