The Cowboys have placed DT Antwaun Woods (ankle) on injured reserve.
Dallas signed RB Sewo Olonilua (TCU) to the active roster from the practice squad. The Cowboys also placed CB Chris Westry (Kentucky) on Reserve/Injured-Practice Squad.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 26, 2020
The Dallas Cowboys 2020 season is ending in a similar fashion to how it started, with a number of key injuries. Saturday, the club added two new defenders to the Injured Reserve, including starting defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (ankle).
Woods injured his ankle in the Week 15 win over San Francisco, and was ruled out for Week 16 earlier this week before he landed on the IR, ending his regular season.
Woods took to Twitter to confirm the bad news, and let his teammates know that they have his full support for the rest of the season.
So I’m going to IR. Just know that I gave my all in them trenches all season long! through the good bad & ugly ! sometimes you get lumped up . Know that I’m still LOCKED IN & I know my dawgs will finish this off the right way!
— Antwaun Woods Sr. (@AntwaunWoods_) December 26, 2020
The undrafted Woods has spent three of his four years with Dallas, and he started 32 games over those three seasons. The former Southern California Trojan has steadily improved during his time in Dallas, and is one of the teams most consistent run stuffers.
Woods is a restricted free agent in the offseason and the Cowboys could try to retain his services going forward based on a need for quality depth at the defensive tackle position. Woods is clearly one of the leaders and emotional catalysts on this Dallas roster. You may remember Woods defending the star from a Juju Smith-Schuster touchdown celebration earlier in the season, à la George Teague and Terrell Owens.
JuJu thought he wanted the celebration smoke, but changed up ASAP when he saw big @AntwaunWoods_ daring him.
George Teague and Byron Jones would be proud. pic.twitter.com/DlNrhD0kFk
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) November 9, 2020
The Cowboys interior defensive line had already been ravaged by injuries, as Gerald McCoy was lost before the season started, and second-year prospect Trysten Hill showed promise before a season-ending injury; now Woods is the latest addition to that list. DT Dontari Poe was released from the club midseason after being one of the biggest free agent signings.
With Woods out, Dallas will turn to a defensive tackle rotation primarily consisting of Neville Gallimore, Justin Hamilton, and Eli Ankou. Defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford and Aldon Smith will also slide inside and see reps at the 3-technique spot, especially on obvious passing downs.
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