The Dallas Cowboys defense could be without two of its best weapons for a little while.
A MRI revealed on Friday morning that Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons has a high ankle sprain that could keep him out, potentially, until after the Week 7 bye, sources told DLLS. The same can be said for defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who suffered a foot injury in Thursday’s 20-15 win over the New York Giants.
The exact timeline is still to be determined.
Both Lawrence and Parsons reportedly were in pain in the locker room after the game, but both said they would be fine moving forward. There was fear immediately after the game that Parsons, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year finalist, might not be, due to the fact that he was carted off from Thursday’s game.
Parsons, in video taken by WFAA-TV, was seen early Friday morning walking with a significant limp.
Lawrence has dealt with foot injuries multiple times before his career.
The Cowboys could be without two of their best defensive players for one of their hardest stretches. The Cowboys head to Pittsburgh next Sunday before returning home to face the Detroit Lions. They’ll have the bye week before they take on the San Francisco 49ers.
In the mean time, the Cowboys will likely ask for a larger role from second round pick defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
Kneeland played in just over 50% of the defensive snaps against the Giants on Sunday. He had a tackle for loss on a Daniel Jones zone-read keeper.
Chauncey Golston (25 snaps) and Carl Lawson (22 snaps) could also be asked to play larger roles. The Cowboys have one elevation left with Lawson before they would have to add him to the 53-man roster.
The Cowboys could revisit some players they had in training camp, as well. The Houston Texans worked out Al-Qualdin Muhammad this week, among others. Shaka Toney, a former teammate of Parsons, is also still a free agent. Both were mid-training camp additions for the Cowboys.
Or, they could pursue trade avenues.
Regardless, the losses of Parsons and Lawrence — for however long they’re out — loom large. Especially for a 2-2 Cowboys team with a tough stretch approaching.
