ARLINGTON, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys return to game action Dec. 10 against the New York Giants, Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee expects to be back on the field.

Lee missed his third straight game, a 38-14 victory Thursday over the Washington Redskins, because of a hamstring strain.

"Everything is on track," Lee said. "We've got a couple of workouts, but feeling great."

Lee was hurt in the first half of a Nov. 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons after missing two games earlier in the season because of a hamstring strain. He said the severity of this strain was similar to the first one he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, but he missed more games because Dallas played three times in a span of 12 days.

Before Thursday, Dallas had lost six straight games without Lee, dating back to 2015. The defense fell apart in his absence: In the first four games Lee missed this season, the Cowboys allowed 156 yards per game on the ground and opponents averaged 33.8 points.

Washington managed just 56 rushing yards on Thursday night.

"This was great for us," Lee said of the victory. "We really need this and to see both sides of the ball [and] special teams play so well, it was a huge confidence builder for us and we have to continue to go. But it's been frustrating being out and I can't stand being put."

Lee has missed 42 regular-season games during his eight-year career. He was held out of last year's season finale with home-field advantage clinched for the playoffs, missing a chance to play a full 16-game schedule for the first time. Cowboys fans have become frustrated with Lee's injury history.

"I sympathize with them because I get it," Lee said. "I mean, I hate being out and I try to do everything possible to stay on the field and sometimes it doesn't work like that. As I've grown more and matured, I try to focus on the great opportunity I have ahead of me instead of focusing on the injuries. ... We've got a lot of football left this season. I'm going to be back and I've got to find a way to stay out there."