The Cowboys D-line has been anchored by DeMarcus Lawrence for more than a decade. Will he follow his teammates and former DC to DC?
This might be the end of an era in Dallas. With Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff on lame-duck status, a 3-6 record that is on the verge of turning into 3-8 means the Cowboys are likely going to miss the playoffs. And if that’s the case, when the final whistle sounds on their season in Week 18, it might signal the last games played by teammates who have spent their entire 11-year careers with a star on their helmet.
2014’s top two draft choices, OG Zack Martin and DE DeMarcus Lawrence are both set to hit free agency next spring, and it’s a real possibility that they will not be returning to America’s Team. If Lawrence walks, it’s expected for him to have heavy interest as he has still been extremely productive this season when not injured as he comes off of back-to-back Pro Bowls.
There hasn’t been any apparent slippage in his play, so he could command a hefty salary as a hired gun, and that could be for his former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn who is now the head coach in Washington.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report predicted that to be one of two high-potential landing spots for Lawrence, along with the Detroit Lions.
Lawrence was simply superb this season before the injury. He tallied 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, 10 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in four games. Lawrence should appeal to teams seeking pass-rush help or an improved run defense, though he’s best suited for those utilizing a four-man front.
Lawrence would find a terrific fit with the Lions, who should have star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson back by the spring. Hutchinson will remain Detroit’s primary pass-rusher, but the Lions desperately need a high-end complement.
Washington would also serve as a sensible landing spot—and not entirely because former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is now the head coach. Quinn’s presence would undoubtedly be part of the equation, but the Commanders are also set to potentially lose both Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell in 2025 free agency.
Quinn’s Commanders have been a surprise this season thanks to rookie QB Jayden Daniels, but the defense has rounded into shape. Their pass rush is anchored by two of Lawrence’s understudies the last few years in Texas, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. Fowler’s having a career year, so
Rookie Marshawn Kneeland suffers an injury at one of the three spots the Cowboys can’t afford any more attrition. | From @KDDrummondNFL
The Dallas Cowboys lost two starting edge rushers to injury in Week 4’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With not much depth behind them, the club went out and poached a practice squad to get more help. Only KJ Henry wasn’t in town long enough to be activated for this week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. So without Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas was left to pressure Justin Fields, with rookie Marshawn Kneeland, and veterans Chauncey Golston, Carl Lawson and second-year man Tyrus Wheat.
Make that Golstron, Lawson and Wheat, as Marshawn Kneeland had to leave the game on the Steelers’ first drive with a leg injury. Kneeland was carted to the locker room after limping off the field.
A second-round rookie from Western Michigan, Kneeland has flashed on = occasion in the young season, though he has yet to register a sack on the young season.
The game is tied at 3 early as both teams scored field goals on their opening drives. Dallas had to punt on their next possession, giving the ball back to the Steelers at their own 26.
The Steelers’ struggles on offense should provide the Cowboys a chance to experiment. | From @ReidDHanson
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense is going to look significantly different when they take the field in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. For the first time since 2020, Dallas will play without Micah Parsons. Parsons, a perennial defensive MVP candidate, will presumably be out this week with a high ankle sprain suffered against New York. Joining Parsons on the sideline will be fellow pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence. Lawrence also fell in Week 4 and could miss up eight weeks with a Lisfranc injury.
With the two top pass rushers out, it would be an understatement to say this defense is going to look fairly abnormal in Week 5. Dallas will likely tinker with substitution packages, blitzes, stunts, and personnel groups in order to compensate for the loses. Just to even remotely replace the missing production, things may need to get extremely creative for Mike Zimmer and company.
And Week 5 is the perfect week to do it.
The Steelers, Dallas’ opponent Sunday night, are still trying to figure things out on offense. They rank 20th in EPA offense this season and have been having significant struggles running the ball. Their rushing EPA ranks 29th in the NFL with a success rate of just 35.5 percent. Even with one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the league in Justin Fields, the Steelers have struggled to move the ball on the ground.
It just so happens run defense has been Dallas’ biggest issue in 2024. Parsons and Lawrence may represent most notably the Cowboys’ pass rush, but they also rank as two of the most capable run defenders. Losing them impacts both phases of the game.
Facing a below average offense that’s struggling to run the ball is just what the doctor ordered at a time like this. Zimmer can experiment with new players, new alignments and blitz packages he may not otherwise feel comfortable with.
With the Lions and the 49ers next up on the schedule, the following two matchups aren’t so inviting. The first-place schedule they face in 2024 certainly isn’t doing them any favors, so all things considered, the injuries fell at a good time for the Cowboys. Now is the time to experiment on defense and try to figure some solutions because things get much harder down the road.
The bookend end rushers are going to be on the shelf for a while. Read up on the latest news and what Dallas can do next. | From @KDDrummondNFL
Things have been a little cryptic about what to expect from the injury tent. During Thursday’s 20-15 win over the New York Giants, the Cowboys suffered a couple of injuries to key defenders. Both starting edge rushers, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence suffered foot injuries. X-rays came back negative, but those only show broken bones.
MRIs the next day gave a clearer picture, but the club hasn’t been forthcoming about the extent of each injury. Fans did hear that Parsons suffered a high-ankle sprain, but Lawrence’s diagnosis was a little more cloudy. On Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided some clarity. Parsons is out for at least 7-10 days and Lawrence is headed to IR with a mid-foot sprain.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Cowboys will be without two defensive stars — Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence — for a couple games. And Lawrence is likely headed for IR. pic.twitter.com/UmHr0vTPIk
The Cowboys will turn to a combination of players to replace the duo, led by rookie Marshawn Kneeland. Also in the mix will be veterans Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston. Lawson is currently on the practice squad and has used up two elevations thus far, with one remaining.
Dallas may need to go outside the organization for depth help. If so, the list of potential street free agents is headlined by former Cowboys DE Randy Gregory. The list of potential trade candidates is led by former Eagle Haason Reddick, who has refused to report to the New York Jets after being traded their this past spring.
That’s two starting edge rushers out for an undetermined stretch after the team already lost key reserve Sam Williams for the season during training camp. Things are dire and it may lead the front office to try and get some help from outside the organization.
Earlier in the day, anticipating this news, a list of 10 street free agents was put together. But those guys are on the street for a reason and there may not be much return there. It might take looking to other team’s rosters in order to stop the bleeding. So who exactly is available, or could be for the right price? A quick poll of NFL Wire editors about where their respective teams’ rosters stood revealed four names they thought their clubs would deem expendable for the right price. The conversation though starts with a player who has already asked to be traded from his current club.
Haason Reddick, NY Jets
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsPro-football-reference.com
Reddick was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Jets over the summer, in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. Reddick hasn’t stepped foot inside the Jets facilities, holding out the entire training camp and regular season. He even demanded to be traded again in August after the two sides failed to rework his contract.
Reddick has been accruing fines and is weeks away from having his contract toll to 2025, which means he’ll be locked into the Jets for 2025 under the same terms if he doesn’t report by a deadline. It appears he feels slighted by the Jets so it’s unclear whether or not he’d play under his current contract for another team, but the Cowboys have the cap room to take on the final 14 weeks of his agreement, sitting over $25 million in the black after the extensions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini laid out a scenario where Reddick’s reps appear to have hinted he’d like to return to Philly (via Bleacher Report), but would he take a trip to Dallas also? There are questions, of course.
If Reddick were willing to play without a new deal, would the Jets acquiesce? Would a 2026 third rounder or worth do the trick? How long of a ramp-up period would be required for a player who hasn’t worked out with a team all year? How long does Dallas think they’ll be without Parsons and Lawrence? Does the front office care more about winning in 2024 or cap space to carry over? In the likelihood those questions can’t be adequately addressed, there are some other options to explore.
Poach Candidate: San Okuyinonu, San Francisco 49ers
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Via Kyle Madison of Niners Wire: “Sam Okuayinonu on SF practice squad. Had a sack last week.”
Okuayinonu stands 6-foot-1, 269 pounds and has been in the league since 2022, starting with the Tennessee Titans.
Trade Candidate: James Houston, DE, Detroit Lions
Lions linebacker James Houston
Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire: “He’s on the 53 (healthy scratch weekly) but the Lions would certainly listen on James Houston.”
It appears that the 6-foot-1, 245 third-year player is caught behind a ton of talent and hasn’t been able to break into the rotation since being a sixth-round pick in 2022.
Trade Candidate: Pat Jones II, Minnesota Vikings
John Jones-Imagn Images
Andrew Harbaugh, Vikings Wire: “Pat Jones II is on the active roster but the Vikings are deep enough they may entertain trade talks for him (4 sacks through the first three weeks).”
The fourth-year pro stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 265 pounds and is actually an original draft pick of current Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, going in the third round in 2021. He has already matched his career high in sacks in a season with four.
Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15). Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Jon Heath, Broncos Wire: “Baron Browning has three more games on IR. Once he returns, Denver will have a surplus with Browning, Cooper, Bonitto, Elliss and Tillman. I think they’d definitely trade Bonitto, and once healthy, Browning too.”
Bonitto, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and now in his third season in the league, has a sack on the season after notching eight last year. He was a second-round pick in 2022.
Browning, a third-round pick from 2021, stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 240 pounds. He had 4.5 sacks last year after five in 2022.
From @ToddBrock24f7: The veteran edge rusher said his X-rays were negative and that he’d be back “in no time,” but he’ll likely sit until after the Week 7 bye.
Thursday night’s 20-15 win over the Giants was costly for the Cowboys. Despite it being a much-needed win that ended a two-game skid and restored some amount of confidence in the team moving forward, it now looks as if they’ll have to head into Week 5 without at least one of their defensive leaders.
DeMarcus Lawrence is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury, per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. The veteran defensive end was apparently hurt during the first drive of the second half of the game.
He was seen getting his foot taped up on the sideline. And while cameras spotted him holding his helmet and watching the action, the four-time Pro Bowler did not re-enter the game.
Per Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports, Lawrence said that X-rays on his foot came back negative. “I’ll be back in no time,” he added, “[Expletive] hurts, but it’ll be all right.”
Linebacker Micah Parsons also left Thursday’s game early, with what is reportedly a high ankle sprain. He could also miss time, leaving a Dallas defense that had been under much criticism for the two weeks prior to their win over New York severely weakened if neither can suit up.
The Cowboys face the Steelers and then the Lions before a bye in Week 7.
Potential replacements if the Cowboys need to look outside the organization for fresh help at the edge position. | From @KDDrummondNFL
Things might be getting testy for Dallas’ defense in the very near future. While the team performed much better in their 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday night, one shouldn’t confuse the performance with a flag planting. Facing Daniel Jones was certainly part of the equation in the bounce-back defensive performance after being mauled for two straight weeks by Derek Carr and Lamar Jackson’s groups.
Jones missed several receivers with underthrows and the Giants receivers themselves dropped five passes. So despite limited the Giants to 1.1 yards a carry and separating themselves for a game from the historically bad run defense they had against Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry, there’s still plenty to improve on. The question is, will Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence avoid major injury to be part of the immediate solution?
If not, Dallas will need to consider looking outside the organization for help, as their troops have already been depleted. After seeing Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, Jr. follow Dan Quinn to Washington during free agency, the Cowboys also lost third-year up-and-comer Sam Williams to an ACL injury this summer.
The club added Carl Lawson to the practice squad and he’s been elevated the last two games. Chauncey Golston is a fourth-year pro who hasn’t made much impact on the edge and second-year pro Tyrus Wheat hasn’t seen much defensive action in his career.
They may need to go outside the organization to get help.
One name in particular is Randy Gregory, who was drafted by Dallas back in 2015. Gregory had been suspended multiple times for running afoul of the league’s marijuana policy before those bylaws were lifted. He was recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was released after an extended unexcused absence from the team.
The long-time DE had to exit the game after missing his second sack.
The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been doing a good job of securing the ball carrier in their Week 4 contest with the New York Giants. Fortunately they’ve made enough stops to keep New York out of the end zone, though in the third quarter their troops were depleted as they beared down on the opening drive.
With an opportunity to bring down quarterback Daniel Jones, DeMarcus Lawrence was unable to complete the sack. To make matters worse, Lawrence stayed on the ground and grabbed towards his right ankle after the play was over.
He’d have a slight limp as he made it to the sideline and after being checked out for several minutes, made his way back to the locker room. Lawrence already has the team’s lone sack of the game, his third in four games after two in the season opener against Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns.
Rookie Marshawn Kneeland is next up if Lawrence cannot return to the field. We’ll update as we know more.
All-world running back Derrick Henry ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson logged a passing and rushing score, and the Baltimore Ravens held on for a 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday after blowing a 22-point fourth-quarter lead.
Baltimore (1-2) scored touchdowns on their first two drives, while the Cowboys (1-2) have allowed 120 points in their past three home games.
With the final results, here are the top photos from Sunday’s massive win.
Limiting Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence was pivotal. The Saints did it by running the football and avoiding must-pass situations:
Stopping Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence was a key to victory for the New Orleans Saints against the Dallas Cowboys. Their ability to rush the passer is the defense’s greatest strength, yet Derek Carr didn’t see much pressure on Sunday.
Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning did a good job winning that matchup in the pass and run game. Part of stopping the Cowboys unit was running the football. Dennis Allen looked at the diminished impact of Lawrence and Parsons and felt “part of it was we were able to run the football.”
Alvin Kamara caught a touchdown, but his 115 rushing yards were equally as effective in slowing down the pass rush.
“When you’re able to run the ball and you’re able to put yourself in manageable situations, you’re not having to get into a dropback passing mode where they can unleash their pass rush,” Allen explained.
That’s exactly what they did. The Saints only faced third down on eight occasions in this game. Just four of them were longer than 4 yards. One was a kneel-down and another was when the Saints were running out the clock and keeping the ball on the ground.
This means New Orleans only faced two third downs of more than 4 yards. The Saints were rarely in must-pass situations, and it kept the Cowboys’ best assets from getting active.
