At 19-16, the Dallas Wings sit in fourth place in the WNBA standings as the regular season begins to wind down. With the collection of talent on their roster, they are a potentially dangerous team come playoff time. The Wings are led by the star duo of Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally, both of whom were named to the All-Star team this season. Sabally had been out of the lineup recently with an ankle injury, but the Wings are set to welcome her back into the lineup. But they are going to be without another key player against the Fever on Friday during a critical stretch of the season. Forward Natasha Howard appeared on the Wings injury report as being placed in health and safety protocols as per Jasmine Harper of Winsidr.

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Natasha Howard on the injury report is certainly a big blow for the Wings. This is a crucial stretch of the season as the playoffs loom right around the corner. It is currently unknown the reason as to why she was placed in health and safety protocols and how long she might be out for.

The Wings acquired Howard from the New York Liberty in a three team trade in the offseason that also included the Connecticut Sun. She was originally drafted by the Indiana Fever with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. A two-time All-Star, Howard has also played for the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm.

This season, Howard has appeared in 35 games for the Wings averaging 16.4 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocked shots with splits of 45.3 percent shooting from the field, 30.7 percent shooting from the three-point line and 80.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line.