The Dallas Cowboys enter their Week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals hoping to get their third-straight win, a feat they have yet to accomplish this season. Sitting at 5-7, a win on Monday night would put them one step closer to having a .500 record and having a potential chance at the playoffs. Despite having the better record and being at home, the Cowboys are still 6.5-point underdogs as of Monday.

It appears that the defensive line will continue to be short-handed, as Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones told the media on Monday that it is a “longshot” for DE DeMarcus Lawrence to make his return to the field against the Bengals.

Lawrence has been out of action since he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot in the team’s Week 3 game against the New York Giants.

If there’s been one bright spot to the Bengals disastrous season, QB Joe Burrow has been incredible and the team’s offense remains explosive. It is noteworthy that Burrow had a noticeable limp after taking a cleat to the leg against the Steelers on Sunday, and that could impact his mobility if available against the Cowboys in their matchup. However, having Lawrence back would have been big for a Cowboys defensive line that has remained thin throughout the season.

While Jones said it’s a longshot for Lawrence to play against the Bengals, he did provide optimism for a return “sooner rather than later.” It’s impossible to overstate the impact that Lawrence brings on the field for the team, as he is an effective run-defender and pass-rusher on the field. Making four Pro Bowls in his career as well as receiving a second-team All-Pro selection, the Cowboys have been missing his experience over the course of the season.