Not all the injury news was bad Monday for the Cowboys.

While safety Enos Lewis is out this week against Southeastern, quarterback Knox Kadum could play.

“Knox is sore, so we will have to watch him and hope,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff.

Either way, both Lewis (leg) and Kadum (shoulder) are not expected to miss the final four games of the season. They were both hurt in last Saturday’s loss at Nicholls.

Redshirt sophomore Darius Shields stepped in for Lewis and had eight tackles in just over two quarters. Kadum missed just a couple of plays.

“Darius did a really nice job when he was in there,” said Goff. “We have had some young guys who have been forced to step up and played well. We are excited about his opportunities.”

Goff also singled out true freshman cornerback Crajaun Bennett. The Iowa High product has been forced into action due to injuries and suspensions, and has played well.

“We are going to play some young guys,” said Goff. “We don’t have any options.”

For senior safety Tyler Barnes, it is just the next guy up in the secondary that has to get the job done.

“We have the right guys in here that we want,” said Barnes, who has interceptions in each of the last two games. “It has been challenging but we are getting through it.”

The same can be said at quarterback where Kadum practiced Monday but did not throw. He is officially day-to-day according to Goff.

“He will be on a pitch count this week,” Goff said. “We will see where we are at the end of the week.”

Redshirt freshman Ryan Roberts came in for the injured Kadum last week. He, true freshman Cameron McCalister and even senior Walker Wood could see time at quarterback this week.

“Right now everything is a possibility,” Goff said. “He (Wood) has been back there taking snaps the last couple of weeks so he’s an option.”

The Cowboys (1-6, 0-3 in Southland Conference) play host to preseason league favorite Southeastern on Homecoming Saturday night, which always has its own headaches.

“A lot of activities every day this week,” said Goff. “We can’t forget we have to play a football game on Saturday night. We have to keep working day in and day out and go out and play four quarters of good football.”

Goff wants to end the season strong, especially for the seniors who have stuck with the program.

“I want these seniors to be part of all this,” said Goff. “I want them to be part of the change.”

So do the players.

“Important we finish strong and show how the culture here is shifting,” Barnes said. “We want to leave our mark. We just have to play a complete game.”

McNeese will be looking to break its second three-game losing streak of the season against the 4-3, 1-1 Lions.