The absence of defensive end Anthony Spencer was noticeable in the Cowboys' 34-18 loss to Chicago Monday night. Even with a bye in Week 5, they may still be without him in their Week 6 contest with the Baltimore Ravens.

But the fact they only seemed to have one in-game injury on the defensive side of the ball, a hip pointer suffered by linebacker Bruce Carter, has to be seen as a small victory.

Carter did return, and isn't expected to lose any more time.

Nose tackle Jay Ratliff missed Monday's game with a high ankle sprain, but should be back for Week 6. In their absence, as well as the absences of linebacker Alex Albright and defensive end Kenyon Coleman, it wasn't a healthy defense that surrendered 34 points and 11.1 yards per pass.

Dallas gets the opportunity to rest a bit, sitting at 2-2 but not out of the division race by any stretch. Trailing the 3-1 Eagles by one game, Dallas could be a half-game out by the end of Week 5.