Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke cleared for Colts; Pickens and Ferguson questionable

Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke have cleared the concussion protocol and will play at Indianapolis on Sunday, the Cowboys' Friday injury report shows. Both went into the protocol after last week's overtime loss to Arizona, and both were limited in practice Thursday, the team's site reported.

The rest of the report was less kind. Return man and receiver KaVontae Turpin (ribs) is out for another week, and linebacker Malachi Lawrence (ankle) is ruled out for the first time this season; DallasCowboys.com called him a candidate for injured reserve. Seven more are questionable: cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (ankle), tight ends Jake Ferguson (ankle) and Luke Schoonmaker (groin), linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring and back), receiver George Pickens, and two players on injured reserve whose return windows are open, defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard (calf) and outside linebacker Marist Liufau (wrist).

The names that matter Sunday

Downs, the rookie from Ohio State, has mostly played slot corner but has also filled in at safety, a position the Cowboys are short at while Jalen Thompson recovers from a hamstring injury. He made four tackles in 53 snaps against Arizona, including a fourth-and-goal stop of Jeremiyah Love at the goal line. Sunday was meant to be a family occasion: his older brother, Josh Downs, plays receiver for the Colts, though the AP reported this week that Josh has asked to be traded.

Locke had just come off injured reserve with a foot injury when he was hurt again against the Cardinals, his first game back in more than a month.

Pickens has been on the report since late October. He was limited Wednesday with a hamstring injury and is listed Friday with shoulder and ankle injuries. He has 39 catches for 533 yards and two touchdowns through eight games, against 43 for 685 and six at the same point last season, ESPN's Todd Archer noted on Friday.

Ferguson left the Arizona game in the first quarter. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that his tests came back clean. If neither he nor Schoonmaker can go, Brevyn Spann-Ford and James Mitchell are the tight ends again; Mitchell scored against Arizona by recovering a fumble in the end zone.

Overshown came onto the report Thursday as a limited participant. He intercepted Tanner McKee in the win at Philadelphia, and his absence would thin a defense that ranks last in the league in yards allowed.

Thompson's 21-day practice window had not been opened as of Wednesday, Schottenheimer said.

The other side

Indianapolis ruled out linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), its leading tackler, and cornerback Justin Walley (knee). Tackle Jalen Travis (thumb) and safety A.J. Haulcy (ankle) are questionable, and receiver Alec Pierce is on injured reserve with a heel injury, according to ESPN's listing.

Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET on Fox at Lucas Oil Stadium. Inactive lists come about 90 minutes before. Prices are on the game page, and the schedule is on the team page.