Cowboys' Caleb Downs clears concussion protocol, set to face Colts as Pickens is questionable

The Dallas Cowboys will have both of their concussed safeties back for Sunday's game in Indianapolis. Rookie Caleb Downs and veteran P.J. Locke each cleared the league's concussion protocol Friday, according to SB Nation's Blogging The Boys. The news comes at a position where Dallas has had very little healthy depth.

Downs had been listed with both a concussion and an ankle injury. ProFootball Talk reported that he was a full participant Friday and carries no injury designation, so neither issue should keep him out. He left last Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to Arizona in the second half after making four tackles, per CBS Sports. He missed Wednesday's practice and was limited Thursday. The No. 11 overall pick has started all eight games this season, RotoWire noted.

The rest of the report is less encouraging. Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence (ankle) and returner KaVontae Turpin (ribs) did not practice Friday and have been ruled out. SB Nation suggested Lawrence's absence could run long enough for injured reserve to be an option. Receiver George Pickens (hamstring), tight end Jake Ferguson (ankle), cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring/back) were all limited and are questionable. Linebacker Marist Liufau looks close to coming back, which could set up a roster move before kickoff.

What it means for Indianapolis

Dallas is 3-5 and has lost three of its last four. The only win in that stretch was a 38-21 victory at Philadelphia. Close games have hurt: two of the five losses, to Baltimore and Arizona, came by three points each. The defense has allowed 26.6 points per game, almost the same as the offense's 27.4. That is why getting Downs and Locke back matters so much against a Colts offense built around Jonathan Taylor. The Cowboys are 2-2 on the road, compared with 1-3 at home.

The board has Dallas favored anyway. On Novig, one of 12 venues listing the game, the Cowboys are -223 on the moneyline and the Colts are +213. On the spread, Novig has Dallas -5.5 at +102. The best number elsewhere is Fanatics at Dallas -5, -110. Novig has Indianapolis +5.5 at -106, while FanDuel's -105 on the same number is the best price anywhere. Novig's total is 51.5, and Pinnacle has the under at 52 for -111. Sportsbook hold on the spread runs from 2.9% to 5.4%, so the prices vary noticeably across venues.

The schedule gets harder after Sunday. San Francisco comes to Arlington on November 15, and the early prices have the 49ers favored at -208 on Novig and -198 at DraftKings. Dallas is +174 on Novig and +181 on Kalshi. Downs' return helps, but Pickens' hamstring and Ferguson's ankle could do as much to decide whether Dallas leaves Indianapolis at 4-5. More on the season is on the Cowboys team page.