It wasn’t unexpected to see Jourdan Lewis’ name pop up on the Cowboys PUP list this week. The seventh-year cornerback suffered a Lisfranc injury in late October which required surgery and a brutal rehab period that was predicted to extend into training camp.
Lisfranc, a midfoot injury that impacts both bone and ligament, is a difficult injury to overcome. As David Moore of the Dallas Morning News described, it required the insertion of screws, nuts and bolts for Lewis, which kept him in a walking boot through March.
Earlier in the summer Lewis spoke of his grueling rehab and how the foot injury essentially requires him to re-learn how to walk. Lewis only started running recently and even that has been restricted by his rehab team.
Even though Lewis suffered a particularly bad Lisfranc injury, it’s not uncommon for the rehab to last as long as it has. Per the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, the median time to return for NFL players was 11.1 months from the time of the injury. Lewis would be lucky to make the median time (mid-September).
This all assumes Lewis returns to the Cowboys.
After struggling significantly with depth at the CB position throughout most of 2022, Dallas has built up quite the unit in 2023. Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore have the top-two spots locked down while players like DaRon Bland, Eric Scott, Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, Myles Brooks and even hybrid DB Israel Mukuamu duke it out for coverage roles behind and alongside them.
Bland was particularly impressive in 2022, leading the Cowboys in interceptions (five) and showing he could be a long-term answer at CB. Even if Lewis bounces back to his pre-injury self, Bland is the favorite to claim Lewis’ spot as the top nickel CB (provided Bland can pick up where he left off in his rookie season).
Mukuamu was also impressive playing in the nickel role last postseason. But since he’s shown the ability to effectively play a deep safety role as well, his role in 2023 may be more fluid or needs-based.
The rest of the bunch are fighting for roster spots and roles. They are all younger, cheaper and healthier than Lewis, so it stands to reason if they show they can be decent solutions, they will get the benefit of the doubt.
Lewis is on the books for $5,872,550. If he doesn’t fit in as a top-three CB, Dallas may not be able to justify his cost. The Cowboys aren’t in need of creating cap space for this season, but they aren’t known to needlessly spend either.
Lewis’ future is likely to be as tied to the field of competition as it is his own health. If young players step up and show they can be viable solutions, Lewis may not have a place on the roster waiting for him.
Lewis’ time on the PUP list could even extend into the regular season to bide the Cowboys time. They saw firsthand how quickly depth can evaporate at CB and may want to have an ace up their sleeve like Lewis in the background in case of emergency. A PUP designation into the regular season guarantees his salary, though.
How this all plays out is anyone’s guess but there is a very real possibility Lewis never plays a snap again for the Cowboys.
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