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Tyreek, Zack Martin & How Many Stars Sitting OUT?
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

 The Dallas Cowboys are using the Wednesday practice session as a rest day of sorts for select veterans, so not all of the names you are about to read are truly "injured.''

And the same goes with the Miami Dolphins, who play host to Dallas this Sunday, with two 10-4 teams gearing up for a marquee Christmas Eve game and then the NFL playoffs.

But the "injury practice report'' for the day, from both team HQs', is a lengthy one. To wit ...

Among the missing Cowboys: Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, DeMarcus Lawrence, Johnathan Hankins and Malik Hooker.

Among the missing Dolphins: Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, Xavien Howard, and as one report phrased it, the "entire starting" offensive line.

Tyreek is a serious-issue headliner here, as he's trying to come back from an ankle injury that kept him out of last week's 30-0 win over the Jets.

Said Miami head coach Mike McDaniel of the DNP for Hill, an MVP candidate: "That's not any indication of left or right. It's more just us trying to make sure that we have all cylinders go."

Meanwhile, Zack Martin registers as that guy for the Cowboys, as he exited Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills early with a quad contusion.

"A fluke thing, I guess,'' said the eight-time Pro Bowler Martin of his quad injury. I'm hoping, this week, to treat it and get it ready to go on Sunday. I feel good about that.''

Hankins (high ankle sprain) also missed as Dallas allowed 266 rushing yards and three touchdowns at Buffalo, but he's likely out this week. Hooker (ankle) was out at Buffalo last week as well but plans to practice this week. missed last Sunday's game with an ankle injury.

Miami is a 2-point favorite here, and for now, who gets more healthy more quickly might be a centerpiece story to this showdown.

This article first appeared on FanNation Cowboy Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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