IRVING, Texas (AP) -- For the first time since Nov. 5, 1989, the Dallas Cowboys will play Sunday without Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith or Michael Irvin.

With Deion Sanders also listed as questionable, the Cowboys might as well take the stars off the sides of their helmets, too.

Injuries have temporarily ended the longest-running QB-RB-WR trio in NFL history. While there's a chance one or more might never play again, Sunday's game against Green Bay will be the first taste of an inevitable future for Dallas players, coaches, fans -- and even those who love to hate "America's Team."

"I don't regard it as the end of an era," said Aikman, who needs at least a week off to let his brain recover from concussions in consecutive games. Smith has a broken right hand and Irvin has a spinal cord injury.

"I think the fact this is the first time it's happened says a lot for the longevity of all three of us. I think it also reminds us how meaningful it is that we've been able to play together as long as we have. It's something we're all very proud of."

Talking about the past is more fun for the Packers and Cowboys, both 4-4. Each can reminisce about recent days when they were the cream of the NFL's crop. Now, they resemble sour milk.

The Cowboys have lost two in a row and four of five. The Packers have dropped three of four, including consecutive losses at Lambeau Field for the first time since 1991.

"It's an unusual situation for both teams in that we're fighting for our lives every week," Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre said. "It's kind of a character-check for us and for Dallas.

"Both teams have some great players, but when you have injuries and you have changes, it does something to your team. You can't always be on top."

Since Smith arrived in 1990, Dallas has won three Super Bowls and six division titles.

The Cowboys lost the only game they've played without two of the Big Three. They're 14-16 in games that one of them has missed.

The last time Dallas played without all three, Smith was a junior at Florida, Irvin had a knee injury and Aikman had a broken finger.

The Cowboys had Steve Walsh at quarterback, Paul Palmer at running back and Derrick Shepard at wide receiver while facing arch-rival Washington at RFK Stadium. Dallas won 13-3 for its lone victory that season.

The advent of the salary cap has made it difficult for teams to have quality backups, but the Cowboys are in decent shape with their second-string quarterback and running back.

Chris Warren, Seattle's career leading rusher, will get his first start in Dallas. Although he can carry the ball well, he's nowhere near the blocker Smith is.

At quarterback, Jason Garrett will make his eighth start in place of Aikman in seven years.

The Princeton grad went 3-2 last year while Aikman was out with a broken collarbone. Although a bit weak-armed, Garrett threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-31 victory over Green Bay on Thanksgiving 1994.

Since Irvin went down, Dallas' receivers haven't been very productive. Defenses have shackled Raghib Ismail and no one else has been consistent enough to help free the Cowboys' lone big-play threat.

"You want all your starters in, but the nature of NFL football is that that's not going to be the case," Garrett said. "So you've got to figure it out and deal with some of the different adversities and try your best."

Although Smith had a plate and screws inserted Tuesday, Smith is hoping to return soon.

"He wants to be back this week," Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said.

Aikman's status depends on when he stops feeling headaches and dizziness. So far, he's only ruled himself out of the Packers game.

While this may be a one-game hiatus for Aikman, Smith or both, Packers coach Ray Rhodes doesn't plan to send a thank-you note to the NFL schedule-makers.

"I don't think there's such a thing as a good time to catch a team," Rhodes said. "They have a lot of guys who are out and we have a lot of guys who are out. On Sunday, we both have to line up and play."

GREEN BAY Season schedule and results

DALLAS Season schedule and results

September 12 Oakland W 28-24 September 19 @Detroit L 15-23 September 26 Minnesota W 23-20 October 10 Tampa Bay W 26-23 October 17 @Denver L 10-31 October 24 @San Diego W 31-3 November 1 Seattle L 7-27 November 7 Chicago L 13-14 November 14 @Dallas 4:15pm ET November 21 Detroit 1:00pm ET November 29 @San Francisco 9:00pm ET December 5 @Chicago 1:00pm ET December 12 Carolina 1:00pm ET December 20 @Minnesota 9:00pm ET December 26 @Tampa Bay 4:15pm ET January 2 Arizona 1:00pm ET

September 12 @Washington W 41-35 September 20 Atlanta W 24-7 October 3 Arizona W 35-7 October 10 @Philadelphia L 10-13 October 18 @NY Giants L 10-13 October 24 Washington W 38-20 October 31 @Indianapolis L 24-34 November 8 @Minnesota L 17-27 November 14 Green Bay 4:15pm ET November 21 @Arizona 4:15pm ET November 25 Miami 4:15pm ET December 5 @New England 8:20pm ET December 12 Philadelphia 1:00pm ET December 19 NY Jets 4:15pm ET December 24 @New Orleans 3:05pm ET January 2 NY Giants 4:05pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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