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, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters including Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
Parsons fell victim to a high ankle sprain, per Watkins. After exiting the Thursday night matchup in the fourth quarter, Parsons saw negative x-rays immediately after the game, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. 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, per Watkins. 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 on Friday revealed 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.
