FRISCO, Texas – What a difference a year makes. In that case, how about what a difference half-a-year makes.
Last season, the Cowboys had Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler and Sam Williams on board to rush the passer.
Fowler and Armstrong signed with Dan Quinn and the Commanders back in March. Williams suffered a torn ACL early in training camp and is out for the season.
And now, a 20-15 win over the Giants proved to be costly as both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence suffered injuries that should force them to miss time, and potentially both missing next week's game in Pittsburgh.
So now what?
Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said on 105.3 "The Fan" on Friday that the team will look at all possibilities to add pass-rush edge.
"Well, we're always looking for help - that goes without saying," Jones said. "We have to have to some guys internally step up."
Internal options for the Cowboys include veteran pass-rusher Carl Lawson, who is on the practice squad but has just one elevation left of the NFL's allowed three call-ups. The team could simply add him to the roster, especially if Lawrence and/or Parsons lands on IR.
Lawson was active in Thursday's win over the Giants. While he did have a costly offside penalty, he was rushing the passer at the end of the game, creating pressure on Daniel Jones in the final moments of the win.
Lawson has 27 career sacks, including 8.5 as a rookie in 2017 with the Bengals when he was playing under then-DC Paul Guenther, who is the Cowboys' current defensive run game coordinator.
Other options on the roster include Chauncey Golston, who has played both end and tackle since being drafted in 2021. The team also has Marshawn Kneeland, a second-round pick in 2024, and Tyrus Wheat, who was inactive for this past game with the Giants.
Lawson was one of four veteran defensive ends the Cowboys brought in back in August when Williams first went down with the injury. The team also looked at Shaka Toney, who signed and later was waived/injured, and Al-Quadin Muhammad, who played well in the preseason but was released before the start of the season. Muhammad would still need to serve a 1-game suspension by the NFL before being cleared to play.
Another player who visited the Cowboys for a workout was Justin Hollins, who is also a free agent.
