FRISCO, Texas — DeMarcus Lawrence will unfortunately not take the field again for the Dallas Cowboys anytime soon. Though the victory against the New York Giants was virtually mandatory, all things considered, it came at a heavy price with both Lawrence and Micah Parsons leaving the game with injury, the former heading to injured reserve.
It's a move that corresponds with the poaching/signing of KJ Henry from the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad.
The four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher suffered a foot sprain that will keep him out of action for a minimum of four games, beginning with the Week 5 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers — the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers to follow with a bye week in-between.
Micah Parsons continues to be labeled as "week to week", per executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones to 105.3 The Fan, and isn't ruled out of any contests, as it stands, lending to at least some optimism there.
Lawrence doesn't only lead the Cowboys in sacks through the first four weeks (3), but he's also arguably one of the best defenders against the run at the edge. The latter tidbit is critical to remember for a Cowboys' defense that, for much of the season, has struggled to stop the run.
His absence will create that many more reps for rookie second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland, who already saw an uptick in action over what was initially planned prior to Sam Williams being lost for the season with a torn ACL at the beginning of training camp.
There will also be higher expectations placed upon veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson, elevated from the practice squad twice in as many weeks leading into Week 5.
A third elevation would then, now, likely see the Cowboys keep him on the active roster versus releasing him to free agency with the goal of re-signing him to the practice squad — a risk the front office and coaching staff in Dallas can no longer afford to take.
Be it Kneeland, Lawson and/or Chauncey Golston being asked to do more on the edge, and now the addition of Henry, replacing Lawrence (and Parsons?) won't be an easy task, but there's no choice but to figure out how to do exactly that until the All-Pro is ready to return.
