Tag: Connor Williams

Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Offense Selections

The wrap up of the Texas Longhorns All-Decade Team with all of the selection on offense.

For the better part of the last two weeks, Longhorns Wire has been providing the best players at each position for Texas from 2010-2019. Here are the selections for the All-Decade team. Each position will have a link below with the original articles.

Quarterback

Sam Ehlinger

(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)

Ehlinger was the clear favorite for quarterback of a decade. His junior season saw the Austin Westlake product throw for the second-most yards in school history just behind Longhorns legend Colt McCoy. With a bowl game left to go, he has an opportunity to close in on the single-season mark of 3,859 yards set in 2008. Ehlinger only needs 398 yards to break it.

Ehlinger currently sits second all-time in Texas history for career passing yards (8,669) and touchdowns (65). Sam also sits third in rushing yards by a quarterback but is closing in fast on McCoy for second-most at 1,571.

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Texas’ offensive lineman of the decade

Texas’ OL has been impressive in the second half of the decade. The Longhorns have turned around their offensive line play in recent history

Being the most important unit in all of football, the offensive line for Texas has been impressive in the second half of the decade. Currently with three guys playing in the NFL, the Longhorns have turned around their offensive line play recently.

Connor Williams, Trey Hopkins, and Calvin Anderson are the three guys in the NFL, with Williams and Hopkins declaring after their junior year. The two started in a majority of the games the played, being consistent performers for the Longhorns. They also both helped Texas have some monster games on the ground, each having a 400-yard rushing game during their time at Texas.

Anderson was a graduate transfer from Rice who only spent one year with the Longhorns. He was a big get for Texas in 2018 and made an instant impact the minute he started to play. Starting in all 14 games he played in, Anderson was the left tackle for quarterback Sam Ehlinger. Protecting the blindside, he was a reliable blocker for the team.

Two players who are not in the NFL just quite yet are Zach Shackelford and Samuel Cosmi. The two have been the best players on the offensive line for Texas in 2019. Shackelford is a four-year player with 39 career starts, mainly at center. Cosmi redshirted in 2017 but has been a breakout performer for the Longhorns in his two years on the line.

Here is the Texas offensive line of the decade for the 2010s:

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Connor Williams to IR, Cowboys sign journeyman OL to round out roster

The Dallas Cowboys will have to make the miracle run owner Jerry Jones desperately wants to believe is possible without their starting offensive line intact. Left guard Connor Williams, who missed the team’s Week 11 win over the Detroit Lions after …

The Dallas Cowboys will have to make the miracle  run owner Jerry Jones desperately wants to believe is possible without their starting offensive line intact. Left guard Connor Williams, who missed the team’s Week 11 win over the Detroit Lions after arthroscopic knee surgery but returned after just one missed week is done for the year.

Williams tore his ACL in the Thanksgiving loss to the Buffalo Bills and on Sunday, Dallas placed the second-year player on injured reserve, ending his season. The designation opened up a spot on the team’s 53-man roster and the club signed versatile offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch to fill the void.

Williams will have surgery something in the month of December and as of now his readiness for the team’s offseason work is unknown.

Benenoch has spent time on three different NFL rosters prior to this, having been drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 selection process by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He actually worked out for the Cowboys during that process.

The Nigeria native started all three seasons at UCLA playing both right tackle and the guard positions. At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, he’s an exceptionally quick athlete.

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The Cowboys had hoped to be better prepared for such an injury, when they drafted Penn State guard Connor McGovern in the third round of this year’s draft, but after missing training camp the Cowboys placed him on IR after he made the team’s initial 53-man roster.

That move would have allowed him to recover from his pectoral injury and be activated at some point after eight weeks, but with him missing such a large part of the offense’s installation, it does not appear the team has any thoughts toward activating him down the stretch of the season.

Xavier Su’a-Filo, a six-year veteran, will start in Williams’ place.

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Cowboys’ Connor Williams exits, backup immediately shows why he’s one

Dallas Cowboys guard Connor Williams suffers injury in the second quarter of the Thanksgiving match-up with the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas Cowboys second year guard Connor Williams has been helped off the field with just over four minutes left in the first half.

The injury took place on a run by Ezekiel Elliott where Williams had his legs rolled up on by fellow offensive lineman Zack Martin.

Williams returned to action last week after missing a game due to a knee injury that required surgery. His replacement, guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, allowed a sack that resulted in a fumble by quarterback Dak Prescott just two plays later.

The score remains tied at seven but Prescott and the Cowboys have turned the ball over twice.

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Connor Williams returns to practice after missing just 1 Cowboys game

The club’s left guard is trying to return quickly following knee surgery.

The Dallas Cowboys’ offense is going to be facing their stiffest test of the season, perhaps any recent season, this Sunday when they travel to Massachusetts to take on the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick’s defense has been operating in another stratosphere from the rest of the league this season, shutting down all comers in the passing game.

Dallas, a juggernaut of equal excellence on offense, will need all hands on deck in order to be their best selves, and on Wednesday got a surprise indicator in that direction. Left guard Connor Williams was back at practice after missing Sunday’s win over Detroit. Williams had arthroscopic knee surgery following the club’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10.

Su’a-Filo performed very well in one facet, but was as bad in run blocking as he was excellent in pass protection. Williams’ performance this season has been in the middle on both fronts.

If he’s able to suit up Week 12, that means that Dallas could have their starting five in tact, with the possibility that La’el Collins is able to start at right tackle after having his legs fallen into in the second half of the club’s win over Detroit. Owner Jerry Jones spoke Tuesday and said he was optimistic, though Collins did not practice Wednesday.

Also practicing Wednesday was WR Amari Cooper (knee) and safety Jeff Heath (shoulder). The club was without LB Joe Thomas, however.

Dallas signed CB Deante Burton  after placing CB Anthony Brown on IR following triceps surgery.

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Cowboys Week 11 injury designations: LG Connor Williams ruled OUT

The Detroit Lions Week 11 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, have released their injury designations and ruled LG Connor Williams OUT.

The Detroit Lions Week 11 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys have declared their inactives for this weekend’s game at Ford Field.

While the Cowboys are relatively healthy, they will be down 20-percent of their starting offensive line and there’s a chance they could be down as much as 40-percent come game-time.

Ruled OUT

LG Connor Williams (knee)

Williams had arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss time. “In his place,” Cowboys Wire’s Cody Milligan points out, “the Cowboys will start sixth-year pro Xavier Su’a-Filo. Su’a-Filo started eight games for the Cowboys in 2018 after being signed as a free agent.”

This is a downgrade for the Cowboys, and may not be the end of their injury issues on the offensive line.

Questionable

RT La’el Collins (knee, back)
S Jeff Heath (shoulders)

Collins didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday and returned to a limited practice on Friday, but most people in the know are expecting him to play. With Williams already out, losing Collins would be a blow to their offensive line.

Heath, a Cowboys captain and Michigan native (he’s from Lake Orion), has been limited all week and is coming off a game that saw him with his lowest snap count of the season. Even if he is able to play this weekend, he may be limited on Sunday.

Not listed with an injury designation

WR Armani Cooper (knee, ankle)
WR Michael Gallup (knee)
LT Tyron Smith (ankle)
RG Zack Martin (back, ankle, elbow)
OT Cameron Fleming (calf)
DE DeMarcus Lawrence (neck)
DE Michael Bennett (non-injury)
DT Antwaun Woods (shoulder)
LB Sean Lee (pectoral)
CB C.J. Goodwin (knee)

There are a lot of other Cowboys banged in this section — including eight starters — but they are all in position to play on Sunday.

Injury Report: Cowboys entire offensive line hurting ahead of Week 11

The Thursday injury report for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions leading up to their Week 11 matchup.

The Dallas Cowboys most recent loss has put their backs against the proverbial wall. With that in mind, all hands on deck will be required, not only due to the increased significance of the remainder of the games to be played, but because injuries are mounting. Here’s the latest injury report ahead of the Week 11 game against the Detroit Lions.

There’s positive movement in some aspects. WR Amari Cooper, who’s been dealing with a plethora of nagging lower body injuries this season, was upgraded to limited after not practicing Wednesday. Also limited was guard Zack Martin, and CB/core special teamer C.J. Goodwin.

The rest of the offensive line continues to be banged up. While LT Tyron Smith has participated in both practices this week despite his ankle, his bookend La’el Collins has yet to get any work with ailments to both his knee and his back. Of course, guard Connor Williams was not available due to the arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent earlier in the week, knocking him out of commission for the time being.

At this point, it’s going to largely be on the medical staff to get the players ready to go for game time. Hopefully this rest early in the week will help those who need it play at a high level on Sunday, even without much practice.

The situation is more dire for the Detroit Lions, as their QB Matthew Stafford has yet to practice after missing last week’s game. A back injury is threatening to keep him out of this upcoming contest as well. CB Darius Slay, who did not appear on the official injury report on Wednesday, was downgraded to limited due to an issue with his neck.

Former Longhorn Malik Jefferson waived by Cleveland Browns

Former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson was waived by the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday

On Tuesday, former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson was waived by the Cleveland Browns.

Jefferson is in just his second year as a pro. He was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

With the Browns in 2019, Jefferson only made an appearance in one game, and that game came in week one against the Titans. In that game, Jefferson recorded just one tackle.

Hopefully, we see Malik find a new home soon. After all, he was a third-round pick last year for a reason.

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WATCH: Quandre Diggs gets first interception with Seahawks

Watch as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quandre Diggs gets his first interception with his new team

A few weeks ago, former Texas Longhorn defensive back Quandre Diggs was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Seattle Seahawks. Last night, Diggs saw his first action with Seattle in a clash between the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers went into this Monday Night Football matchup as the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. The Seahawks were able to stun the 49ers in San Francisco, winning in overtime by a score of 27-24.

About midway through the 3rd quarter, Diggs was able to intercept 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with the score being 10-7 in favor of San Francisco. This interception led to a Seahawks touchdown, giving them the lead.

On the night, Diggs was able to tally two tackles, one of which was solo, a pass defense, and this interception.

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Connor Williams to have knee surgery; Su’a-Filo to start in absence

Cowboys guard Connor Williams will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday. Xavier Su’a-Filo will start in his place.

The Cowboys let yet another game get away from them Sunday night, suffering a bitter defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings.  They lost yet another winnable game to an NFC opponent.  While Dak Prescott and the Cowboys passing game shredded the Vikings’ defense, the running game was abysmal, tallying only 50 yards on 22 attempts.

To make matters even worse for the rushing attack, starting left guard Connor Willams will be out for some time as he will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday.

Williams is in the midst of his second NFL season after being selected in the second round of Texas in the 2018 draft.  After struggling in his first year due to a lack of pure strength, Williams has played 100% of the offensive snaps so far.

In his place, the Cowboys will start sixth-year pro Xavier Su’a-Filo.  Su’a-Filo started eight games for the Cowboys in 2018 after being signed as a free agent.

Connor McGovern, whom the Cowboys selected in the third round of the 2019 draft still has not practiced after suffering a torn pectoral in the offseason and being placed on injured reserve.