The continuation of Week 8 in the NFL brings with it your normal inventory of pressing questions about how injuries impact outcomes. For instance, scroll down a bit to find out missing Andy Dalton might affect the slumping Dallas Cowboys.

And while we’re thinking about the Cowboys, here’s a tasty prop bet concerning their game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night that might be worth chewing on.

How many first-half points will be allowed by the Cowboys. The over/under is 13.5. Keep in mind the Cowboys are the first team in NFL history to allow 20+ points in the first half in six straight games.

Knee Injury Ends Beckham’s Season

Since making that remarkable catch in 2014 against the Cowboys as a member of the New York Giants, the career of Odell Beckham Jr. has occasionally circled the drain thanks to injuries and his own mercurial nature.

Now he is facing perhaps his biggest challenge after tearing his ACL last Sunday in the Cleveland Browns win over the Cincinnati Bengals. If you’ll recall, it looked like OBJ’s foot got caught in the grass as he was chasing down a Bengals player who’d just intercepted Baker Mayfield.

His 2020 season ends with 23 catches on 43 targets for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He had three carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. His absence means the Browns will rely more on Rashard Higgins and Jarvis Landry, both capable receivers. But it won’t make things any easier for the Browns who host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Wilson Injury Just The Latest For 49ers

Hardly a week has gone by this season without someone on the San Francisco 49ers sustaining an injury that certainly will sideline them for at least a week or two.

During their impressive 33-6 win at New England last Sunday, running back Jeff Wilson injured an ankle after scoring three touchdowns. And now it looks as if he’s going to miss a significant amount of time.

Wilson was just getting back to speed after injuring his calf and his absence will again leave the 49ers short-handed at halfback since Raheem Mostert will also miss Sunday’s game at Seattle. That leaves Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty to pick up the slack until Tevin Coleman is ready to return from his knee injury. Good thing the 49ers think that might be on Sunday.

Dalton looks Doubtful For Struggling Cowboys

From the moment Dak Prescott was lost with his broken ankle, you could tell the Cowboys were on the brink of irrelevance. This was the case even though they had the foresight to sign veteran Andy Dalton as Prescott’s backup.

The problem was what would the Cowboys do if Dalton were also to get injured. How would the Cowboys offense possibly compensate for their historically porous defense?

Well, it looks like we’re going to find out Sunday night because Dalton remains in concussion protocol after being concussed on a vicious hit in the third quarter from linebacker Jon Bostic during the Cowboys’ 25-3 loss to the Washington Football Team last week.

Bostic was ejected, but Dalton went right to the locker room and was replaced by rookie Ben DiNucci. Unless something unexpected happens this weekend, it appears DiNucci will start for Dallas in its important NFC East game in Philadelphia.

The Cowboys haven’t had to use three QBs in the season since 2015 when Tony Romo could start only two games because of a collarbone injury. The Cowboys then turned to Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and Kellen Moore and finished 4-12.

Minshew Mania Appears To Be Over

It looks as if the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars will be without QB Gardner Minshew when they return from their bye to host the Houston Texans next week.

Minshew has multiple fractures and a strained ligament in his right thumb, an injury that apparently dates to Jacksonville’s game at Houston in Oct. 11. According to ESPN, Minshew kept his injury a secret until he could no longer stand the pain after last week’s 39-29 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Minshew completed a season-low 51.9% of his passes for 173 yards in the loss.

The Jaguars (1-6) backup quarterback is veteran Mike Glennon, but there have been reports that rookie Jake Luton might start. Ironically, the team was already considering a change at QB in hopes to getting the team back on the rails.

Around The League

Chargers TE Virgil Green (ankle), Washington S Landon Collins (Achilles) and Rams S Terrell Burgess (ankle) all suffered season-ending injuries last week. Denver DL Mike Purcell (Lisfranc) is also out for the season, joining teammates Von Miller and Jurrell Casey. Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay remains in concussion protocol and WR Tim Patrick (hamstring) also has not practiced this week. … Bengals RB Joe Mixon, who missed last week with a foot injury, will not play against Tennessee. The Bengals also have big problems on the offensive line. OT Jonah Williams (neck), C Trey Hopkins (concussion) and OT Bobby Hart (knee) will not play, either. … The Browns don’t expect RB Nick Chubb (knee) to be back until after their Week 9 bye. TE Austin Hooper will miss his second straight game after an appendectomy. … The Seahawks backfield against the 49ers may be short-handed. Coach Pete Carroll said Travis Homer (knee) likely will play, but Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and Chris Carson (foot) might need more rest. It’s possible Carson could be cleared to play on game day. …X-rays on the ankle of Arizona RB Kenyan Drake were negative, but it looks like he’ll be out for some time. …Ravens RB Mark Ingram (ankle) is doubtful for Sunday’s big game against the Steelers and Bears WR Allen Robinson is in concussion protocol and not expected to play when they host the Saints. The Saints will again be without Michael Thomas (hamstring), although he did return to practice on Thursday. …The Patriots will be without WR Julien Edelman (knee) against Buffalo. CB Stephon Gilmore (knee) is questionable. …The Chiefs will host the Jets without WR Sammy Watkins (hamsting). Jets WR Breshad Perriman (concussion) is also out and WR Jamison Crowder (groin) is doubtful. …Bucs WR Chris Godwin (finger) will not play Monday Night against the Giants. …The Packers will be missing RB Aaron Jones (calf) when they host the Vikings, but aren’t sure about K Mason Crosby (calf). …Dalvin Cook (groin) was taken off the injury list by the Vikings on Friday.