The Cowboys suffered a humiliating defeat on their latest visit to San Francisco. Now, it appears, there’s injury to add to that insult.
Cowboys cornerback and special teams ace C.J. Goodwin tore his left pectoral muscle in the Week 5 loss, per a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter. He is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023 season, though there is apparently an option may have him back on the field sooner rather than later.
Goodwin made one tackle Sunday before exiting the game with what was described at first as a shoulder injury. He returned to action briefly but then appeared to tell special teams coordinator John Fassel that he wouldn’t be able to continue. Goodwin was later declared out for the rest of the game.
More bad injury news: Cowboys’ special teams ace CJ Goodwin tore his pectoral muscle and is out for the season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2023
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene took his place as special teams gunner.
Goodwin was scheduled to have an MRI on Monday, though early word Sunday night from inside the Levi’s Stadium locker room was that the injury was thought to be concerning.
By Monday afternoon, it was announced that there was a decision to be made regarding the muscle tear. Goodwin could have immediate surgery to repair the muscle and miss the rest of the season.
Alternatively, he and the team could elect to work on strengthening the area around the muscle, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. If he rehabs himself back into playing shape, he could delay a surgical procedure until later.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy says Goodwin is “likely” headed to injured reserve, as per Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. If placed there, he will have to miss at least four games.
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The 33-year-old joined the Cowboys during the 2018 season, a signing off the Bengals practice squad. He’s been a locker room leader and an integral part of the special teams unit since then, leading the Cowboys in special teams tackles for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. After finishing tied for second on the team in special teams tackles in 2022, Goodwin re-signed wit the club on a one-year contract in March; he had been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster prior to Week 3’s game in Arizona.
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