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Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence Dealing With Lisfranc Injury; IR Stint On Tap

September 30th, 2024 at 2:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 30: The Cowboys are indeed planning to place Lawrence on IR, the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore tweets, adding workouts — in a situation similar to how the Cowboys tried to replace Williams this summer — are likely on tap.

Both Lawrence and Parsons were in walking boots moving around the team’s facility on scooters Monday, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota. Parsons is not expected to play in Week 5 (against the Steelers), but the All-Pro edge rusher is holding out hope for a return in Week 6 (against the Lions). Dallas’ bye, however, is in Week 7.

SEPTEMBER 29: Both DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons exited the Cowboys’ Week 4 win, and their respective injuries threaten to leave Dallas shorthanded along the edge for a notable period. Parsons’ exact recovery timeline is unclear at this point, but Lawrence should not be expected back on the field in the near future.

Lawrence is dealing with a Lisfranc injury, ESPN’s Todd Archer reports. He adds the affected bones were not displaced when the 32-year-old went down, and as a result surgery will not be required. While that is a positive development, Archer still notes a four-to-eight week recovery is in store. As a result, Lawrence is a strong injured reserve candidate.

IR would guarantee at least a four-week absence, but if his prognosis is confirmed it would come as no surprise if the Cowboys took that route with Lawrence. The four-time Pro Bowler leads the team with three sacks this season, so his absence would be felt with or without Parsons in the fold. The fact the latter is also in line to miss time compounds the Cowboys’ situation in the edge rush department. Sam Williams is out for the year, so Chauncey Golston and Marshawn Kneeland will be counted on to handle large workloads moving forward.

The free agent market is thin at the moment with respect to veteran edge rushers, and Haason Reddick represents a hypothetical trade target as his Jets holdout continues. Dallas is not interested in a Reddick pursuit, however, so the team’s in-house options will entrusted to fill in for Lawrence and Parsons over the interim. The Cowboys rebounded on defense in their Thursday night win against the Giants, but the unit will still face questions moving forward given its injury situation.

Lawrence has remained a full-time starter over the past several years, and 2021 was the last time he was sidelined for an extended period. The Boise State product is a pending free agent, making him one of the players whose futures will be determined by how the Cowboys handle a Parsons extension next offseason. Lawrence – who has spent his entire 11-year career in Dallas – will see his market value take a hit with a lengthy absence, but he should be able to return later in the season.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence Injuries Worse Than Expected; Team Not Considering Haason Reddick Trade

September 29th, 2024 at 10:02am CST by Ely Allen

The Cowboys’ second win of the season came with some losses at its heels. Injuries to edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence dampened an otherwise victorious Thursday night over the division-rival Giants. While the worst-case scenario was certainly avoided, both situations appear to be worse than initially expected, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

Parsons fell victim to a high ankle sprain. After exiting the Thursday night matchup in the fourth quarter, Parsons saw negative x-rays immediately after the game. An MRI revealed the sprain, and though there was initially hope that Parsons would be able to take advantage of a 10-day break until their next game and return, the star defender will be out for two to four weeks. With Parsons being such a key player on the defense, it stands to reason that Dallas would slow-play his return, erring on the side of caution and waiting until after their Week 7 bye to bring him back.

Lawrence’s injury seemed immediately worse than Parsons’, a sentiment later confirmed by head coach Mike McCarthy. An MRI today unveiled a mid-foot sprain in Lawrence’s right foot, but the prognosis wasn’t disclosed until a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, pinning Lawrence’s recovery timeline at four weeks, at least.

According to Watkins, McCarthy made it known that both players would be seeking second opinions on their situations. If both situations hold true to their current form, though, Lawrence becomes a sure candidate for injured reserve. With plans to reevaluate Lawrence in four weeks, it makes perfect sense to place him on IR and fill his roster spot with someone who can play now.

With Sam Williams and Durrell Johnson already on IR and Tyrus Wheat dealing with injury, the Cowboys’ depth on the defensive edge is sure to be tested in the coming weeks. Adding Parsons and Lawrence to the list of unavailable players leaves only two healthy defensive ends on the roster: Chauncey Golston and Marshawn Kneeland.

A second-round rookie out of Western Michigan, Kneeland will receive a baptism by fire. He’s served mostly as a rotational rusher in the first few games of the season but will likely be tested much more moving forward. Golston is in a contract year with the Cowboys after being drafted in the third round out of Iowa in 2021. He’s also been mostly a rotational pass rusher throughout his three years with the team, logging three starts and 4.5 sacks in that time.

With a lack of bodies on the edge, the Cowboys will likely continue to look for new players to add to the defense, something the team has been doing since Williams went down in July. They hosted free agent pass rushers Carl Lawson, Shaka Toney, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Justin Hollins before the season, eventually signing Lawson to the practice squad. They may call up some familiar names in their time of need, although at least one high-profile external option is not currently on the table. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the club is not presently considering a trade for embattled Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick due to the prohibitive cost — presumably in terms of both dollars and draft capital — to acquire him.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Suffers High Ankle Sprain; DeMarcus Lawrence Facing Multi-Week Absence

September 27th, 2024 at 3:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

3:25pm: Parsons is facing a recovery timeline of two to four weeks, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports. It would thus come as a signficant surprise if he managed to suit up against the Steelers in Week 5. Lawrence, meanwhile, is dealing with a right mid-foot sprain, per Archer. The full severity of his injury is not yet known, but he will likely not be back before the Cowboys’ Week 7 bye.

1:13pm: The Cowboys earned an important win on Thursday night, but the team did suffer multiple injury scares on defense. Edge rusher Micah Parsons is dealing with a high ankle sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The two-time All-Pro exited Dallas’ win over the Giants late in the fourth quarter. X-rays taken after the contest came back negative, he said (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). An MRI was taken on Friday, though, and it has confirmed a sprain. Rapoport adds Parsons’ status is uncertain at this point.

The worst-case scenario has certainly be avoided in this instance, but the possibility still remains for Parsons to miss time. Dallas has a 10-day break between games by virtue of playing on Thursday, which could prove to be highly beneficial. The 25-year-old indicated he intends to play in Week 5, but his progress in recovery over the coming days will of course dictate if that is possible.

The news is not as encouraging in the case of fellow edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence. The four-time Pro Bowler exited last night’s contest with a foot injury and did not return. Lawrence also underwent an MRI on Friday, and Rapoport’s colleague Tom Pelissero reports a multi-week absence should be expected. As a result, at least one of Dallas’ top two pass rushers will likely be sidelined until after the team’s Week 7 bye.

The Cowboys have totaled eight sacks this season; Lawrence and Parsons account for five of those. Especially with Sam Williams out for the year, depth along the edge will be a question mark with one (or potentially both) set to miss time. Dallas sits at 2-2 on the year, and a repeat of performances from the team’s defense last night will be needed for momentum to build through the remainder of the campaign. That will be challenging if the unit is shorthanded for a signficant period.

Parsons remains attached to his rookie contract, but negotiations on a monster extension will take place during the offseason. Lawrence, meanwhile, is one of Dallas’ top pending free agents this spring, and his market could take a hit if he misses notable time. As the Cowboys consider their options for a midseason rental addition, edge rush could become a position to watch.

Rex Ryan: Cowboys’ DC Salary Insufficient

September 26th, 2024 at 10:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not exactly known for keeping his opinions to himself, Rex Ryan has taken aim at the Cowboys’ defensive performance. More specifically, the longtime ESPN analyst points to the Cowboys making him an offer to be their defensive coordinator this offseason.

Ryan interviewed for the job that went to Mike Zimmer, but the former Jets coach — out of the NFL since his 2016 ouster as Bills HC — made comments that seem to indicate he was offered the position. The brash figure said this gig’s salary did not meet his demands.

“I could’ve fixed [the Cowboys’ defense] in a New York minute,” Ryan said during an appearance on ESPN’s DiPietro & Rothenberg Show (h/t USA Today). “But, that being said, they couldn’t pony up the money, or I would’ve been there.”

Seeking a defensive coordinator with HC experience — which Dan Quinn had provided for three seasons — Jerry Jones interviewed both Ryan and Ron Rivera but went with Zimmer, who had been a Cowboys assistant for 13 years (from 1994-2006). Zimmer was reported to have landed the job, but Ryan had insisted after that assertion no final decision had been made. Soon after, however, Zimmer was officially hired.

Ryan, 61, has not been involved in many coaching searches since the Bills fired him late in his second season. He did interview for the Broncos’ DC post in 2023. Months later, he took shots at the coach Sean Payton did hire — Vance Joseph — after Denver’s defense started slowly last season. Considering Zimmer is also not exactly shy about voicing his opinions, something which became clearer after some recent comments about his Minnesota tenure, this might generate an interesting response, as Ryan criticized Dallas’ defense.

“You brought in a guy that was 29th in the league his last two years at Minnesota, the enthusiasm he brings when he left, that’s the guy that’s gonna inspire you?” Ryan said. “This can go really bad for Dallas.”

Considering Ryan’s reputation, it probably should not be considered certain that Zimmer was the second choice for the job he currently holds. But the Cowboys were impressed with Ryan during his interview. Ryan’s insistence no decision had been made could point to negotiations continuing between he and the team, but Zimmer also carries more experience — both in Dallas and on the HC/DC tier — compared to Ryan. Zimmer, who was also connected to a Broncos job in 2023, had been out of the NFL for two seasons. He did receive other offers to return, however. Ryan being away for the past seven years makes it harder to envision a return commencing.

The Cowboys sit 30th in scoring defense, 28th in yardage and 28th in DVOA. Dallas, which added both edge defenders and D-tackles late in the offseason, ranks last against the run. With Mike McCarthy a rare lame duck, no Cowboys coach should feel especially safe, but he, Zimmer and Co. will attempt to rebound after two concerning showings.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/26/24

September 26th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Without Adoree’ Jackson and Dru Phillips, the Giants will move Shelley up to their gameday roster. Shelley has not played since last season, attending training camp with the Vikings but landing with the Giants shortly after not making Minnesota’s 53-man roster.

Jefferson played in one game this season as a gameday elevation, but this is his first time on a 53-man roster since the 2022 season. Jefferson had retired, spending the 2023 season as a Ravens scouting intern. At 32, he returned to play under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers will be without Derwin James against the Chiefs due to a one-game suspension, with Jefferson set to serve as a depth piece in Week 4.

Cowboys’ Stephen Jones Addresses Potential In-Season Trades

September 26th, 2024 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys will look to avoid a 1-3 start tonight when they take on the Giants. Dallas is not planning to make major moves with respect to players or personnel, but the door is of course open to an in-season trade in the coming weeks.

The 2024 offseason was dominated by negotiations on the Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb fronts. Both players eventually worked out a deal, but their combined AAV of $94MM will lead to a number of difficult financial decisions moving forward. The team’s top remaining priority is a monster extension for Micah Parsons, something which will not be finalized until after the 2024 season. Any additions made before the trade deadline will keep Parsons’ looming raise in mind.

“Could we take advantage of an opportunity if we felt like the situation was there? Absolutely we can,” COO Stephen Jones said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota). “Obviously the cap is a lot more than just about this year. Where our pressure starts to hit is going forward, as we try to have three players the caliber of Dak and CeeDee and Micah.”

The Prescott and Lamb accords will begin next season, while Parsons remains attached to his rookie deal through 2026 given the Cowboys’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option. The two-time All-Pro is set to earn $21.32MM that year, although a long-term accord will cost much more annually. Taking on players with term beyond the current season would complicate the Cowboys’ Parsons extension efforts (along with other matters like a second contract for Tyler Smith or new commitments in pending free agents Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence). As a result, Dallas will be targeting rentals in any upcoming trade acquisitions.

With nearly $24MM in cap space, the Cowboys certainly have the flexibility to make a notable addition by taking on an expiring contract. Plenty will depend on the team’s success over the next few games in determining whether or not a move is contemplated as Dallas looks to post another double-digit win campaign (or at least do enough to qualify for the postseason). Jones reiterated his confidence in the Cowboys’ in-house options to rebound from the losses of the past two weeks, though.

“We believe in our process,” he added. “We believe in this football team. We believe in this coaching staff. We believe we’re going to right the ship.

Cowboys Not Considering Personnel Changes

September 23rd, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys dropped to 1-2 on Sunday after a second straight home defeat. Sunday’s game against the Ravens included a late comeback attempt but it was defined in large part by another poor showing against the run.

Baltimore amassed 274 rushing yards during the win, one which followed a blowout loss to the Saints including major production on the ground. Struggles in that department – along with an ineffective rushing attack – have led to renewed questions about changes in the lineup or on the sidelines. When speaking after the the game, though, owner Jerry Jones confirmed no such moves are imminent.

“I don’t have any concern about our players buying into the coaching staff, or the staff buying into the players,” Jones said (via WFAA’s Ed Werder). “That’s not it.”

Dallas leads the league in passing yards per game, but the team ranks 29th with an average of less than 74 yards per game on the ground. Defensively, the team sits at or near the bottom in a number of categories; that includes the NFL’s worst run defense (186 yards per contest allowed).

Plenty of work therefore needs to be done by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Co. during his first year back as the Cowboys’ defensive play-caller. Head coach Mike McCarthy is of course in a lame-duck season at the moment, and continued struggles could lead to increased calls for a change on the sidelines. Jones’ remarks illustrate his confidence in the veteran staffers, however.

With respect to personnel, a similar mindset is in place. No major in-season move is currently being contemplated, something which could of course change closer to the trade deadline. With nearly $24MM in cap space, the Cowboys have more financial flexibility than most teams at the moment. Jones is confident Dallas’ in-house players will be able to rebound from a disappointing start and render a midseason addition unnecessary.

“Well, I love out quarterback, highest paid guy in the NFL,” Jones added (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “Love our receiver,” a reference to CeeDee Lamb. “Like our offensive line. And, frankly, I like some of the things we’re doing on the defensive line… I say ‘all-in’ on personnel… I don’t see personnel changes out here. I see everybody doing better. Getting better.”

The Cowboys’ offseason consisted of few outside additions while negotiations with Lamb and Prescott took place. The former landed the second-highest AAV for receivers ($34MM) while the latter agreed to a record-breaking $60MM-per-year pact hours before Dallas’ first regular season game. An accord similarly moving Micah Parsons to the top of the edge rush market is expected for next offseason. In the meantime, the incumbent staff members and players will be counted on to deliver another postseason appearance after a slow start to the campaign.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/21/24

September 21st, 2024 at 5:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Players like Hollman, Vigil, Webb, and Quarterman will now be getting called up for the third time this season. The NFL rules limit a practice squad player to three standard gameday elevations per contract. If their teams want to get them into more games in the future, the normal route is for them to be signed to the active roster after this weekend then released/waived and signed to new practice squad deals, starting their three-game count over.

Shy Tuttle‘s foot injury will keep him off the field for Week 3, as the Panthers announced that the defensive tackle has been downgraded from doubtful to out. The Panthers called up Williams to temporarily take the open roster spot. The defensive end started 10 of his 16 appearances for the Panthers last season, and he landed back on Carolina’s practice squad last month after spending the preseason with the Bills.

The Browns announced a handful of moves ahead of their game with the Giants tomorrow. Notably, the team didn’t promote any offensive tackles, which provided some optimism surrounding the availability of their injured tackles. While Jedrick Wills Jr. is expected to play (per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal), Jack Conklin will not (per Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland). Conklin hasn’t played since Week 1 of the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. He practiced this week and was initially listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game, but it sounds like a new hamstring injury is the culprit for his Week 3 absence.

With both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce set to miss Sunday’s trip to Minnesota, the Texans are bringing up Taylor off the practice squad. Taylor will back up Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale against the Vikings this weekend.

Cowboys Not Eyeing RB Addition

September 20th, 2024 at 2:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

The running back position was a major talking point for the Cowboys this offseason, one in which Tony Pollard departed as a free agent. The team’s moves since then have not quelled debate about whether more is required, but further additions are not a priority at the moment.

“A few of the media have gotten out here and written some stories early about how we needed a running back in the draft or how we need a running back, and they’re trying to cover their you-know-what as we go through the season,” owner Jerry Jones said during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan (via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

Dallas reunited with Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year deal, although the team did so with a committee approach in mind. Elliott logged at least 231 carries during each of his first seven seasons as a Cowboy before ceding time to Pollard and being released after the 2022 season. That paved the way for a one-and-done campaign in New England during which the 29-year-old set a new career low in yards per carry (3.5). Elliott has matched that figure through two games while logging a 45% snap share.

The Cowboys retained Rico Dowdle in the offseason after he served in a depth capacity with the team for several years. The former UDFA took on an increased role in 2023 with a 22% snap share; that mark has doubled in the early portion of the current campaign. Dowdle received 106 total touches last year, but he is well on track to surpass that figure with 20 through two weeks in 2024.

Not long before the start of the campaign, the Cowboys added Dalvin Cook to their practice squad. The four-time Pro Bowler had a forgettable 2023 season split between the Jets and Ravens, but Dallas represents an opportunity to rebound. Cook, 29, has yet to be promoted to the active roster. Doing so would be a feasible move from the team’s perspective before seeking out any additions.

Dallas has averaged just 85 rushing yards per game this year, which ranks 26th in the league. Frequently linked to Jonathon Brooks in particular leading up to the draft, the team did not add any rookies in the backfield. Reliance on Elliott, Dowdle, 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn and (at some point) Cook will remain the case until a move is deemed necessary. With Kareem Hunt having returned to the Chiefs this week, though, the free agent pool has thinned.

Cowboys To Place DT Jordan Phillips On IR

September 18th, 2024 at 11:16am CST by Sam Robinson

One of two 30-something defensive tackles the Cowboys acquired just before the season, Jordan Phillips will not make it to Week 3 on the team’s active roster. The team is placing the veteran D-lineman on IR, per the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins.

A wrist injury will move Phillips off the roster. This is familiar territory for the well-traveled veteran, who finished last season on IR due to a wrist ailment. The Giants traded Phillips to the Cowboys in mid-August, with that transaction preceding the team’s Linval Joseph addition.

The Cowboys are planning to sign Carlos Watkins to take Phillips’ roster spot, All City DLLS’ Clarence Hill tweets. Watkins is currently on the Commanders’ practice squad, meaning he must spend at least three weeks on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster due to this poaching. Watkins played the 2021 and ’22 seasons in Dallas before moving on.

Offering an interesting take on this development, Phillips said Wednesday (via Hill) nothing is wrong with his wrist. As such, his status with the organization will be worth monitoring after two games in uniform. The Cowboys are, however, calling this a sprained wrist and are exercising caution, Calvin Watkins adds. Phillips underwent surgery following his 2023 injury, per the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore, but is not expected to need another procedure. This is an interesting back-and-forth, though Phillips’ place on the backup tier reduces its relevance.

Phillips, who will turn 32 this week, must miss at least four games. He has played in both Cowboys contests as a backup, recording two tackles on 34 defensive snaps. The Cowboys brought in Phillips and Joseph to help shore up their run defense. That effort has not gone especially well, with the Saints rampaging for 190 yards on the ground in their stunning Week 2 romp. Joseph has logged 37 snaps as a backup DT.

The Giants signed Phillips, whose Bills tenure overlapped with Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, this offseason but dealt him to their division rivals in a low-end pick-swap agreement. The Cowboys sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Giants for Phillips and a 2026 seventh-rounder. By playing in two games, Phillips has already satisfied the conditions of the trade in order for the picks to transfer.

Buffalo turned back to Phillips as a starter following DaQuan Jones‘ pec tear last season, and the multi-stint Bill started nine games with the team. Pro Football Focus rated Phillips as one of the league’s worst interior D-linemen in 2023. Phillips’ best work came in 2019, when he led the Bills with 9.5 sacks ahead of a nice Cardinals contract. Arizona bailed on that deal after two seasons, leading the former Dolphins second-round pick back to Buffalo in 2022.

Watkins, 30, also brings extensive experience to the equation. One of a few ex-Cowboys to rejoin Dan Quinn in Washington, Watkins landed in the nation’s capital after the Rams cut him late last month. Watkins joined Washington’s practice squad soon after. Watkins started 18 Cowboys games from 2021-22. He played in one Commanders game this season but will now be set to join Joseph, Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa on Dallas’ DT depth chart.

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