Jourdan Lewis Overcame Training Camp Injury To Excel During Rookie Season

Mar 06, 2018 at 04:45 AM

David Helman

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.

However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.

Today, we'll continue the series with cornerback Jourdan Lewis.

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17 September 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends against Denver Broncos receiver Bennie Fowler III (16) during a 2017 NFL week 2 regular season game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Denver. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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25 September 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) carries the ball in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) during an NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

Aaron M. Sprecher/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys rookie cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) breaks up a third quarter pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown (13) during the 2017 NFL week 3 regular season football game against the against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys won the game 28-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)

Paul Spinelli/AP Images

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs from Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Cardinals, 28-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)

Ryan Kang/AP Images

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01 October 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends against a route run by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (17) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Roger Steinman/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis, left, and Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp (18) swap jerseys after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Roger Steinman/AP Images

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08 October 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Michael Ainsworth/AP Images

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) jumps for a pass against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck via AP)

Tom Hauck/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)

Ryan Kang/AP Images

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DAL vs GB

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21 October 2017: Jourdan Lewis of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice at San Jose City College Jaguar Stadium before their week 7 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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22 October 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garcon (15) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Tom Hauck via AP)

Tom Hauck/AP Images

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) runs against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Eric Risberg/AP Images

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29 October 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs KC

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05 November 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie (33) and Jourdan Lewis (27) and linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) stop Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during an NFL game at the AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2017. The Cowboys defeated the Chiefs 28-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)

Kevin Terrell/AP Images

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) and middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) defend in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Brandon Wade/AP Images

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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DAL Vs ATL Departure

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DAL Vs ATL Departure

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12 November 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs ATL

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) in coverage during a week 10 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 27-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

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DAL vs PHI

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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DAL vs LAC

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DAL vs LAC

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23 November 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis (27) and Los Angeles Chargers' Travis Benjamin (12) face off in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) lines up against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Jourdan Lewis (27) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 38-14. (Greg Trott via AP)

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Washington Redskins running back Byron Marshall (34) looks for running room as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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Washington Redskins wide receiver Ryan Grant (14) runs the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (NFL Photos via AP)

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Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Doctson (18) and Dallas Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis (27) get into a scuffle late in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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09 December 2017: Jourdan Lewis
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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10 December 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Roger Lewis (18) during a NFL football game on Sunday December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)

(Evan Pinkus via AP)/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Roger Lewis (18) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)

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17 December 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27) and Chidobe Awuzie
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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17 December 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) is called for an interference penalty while defending a pass intended for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Cowboys won 20-17. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

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Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) cannot catch a pass in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Ben Margot/AP Images

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24 December 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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(L-R) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Amara Darboh and defensive end Frank Clark (55), Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97), defensive end Richard Ash, cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) and safety Delano Hill (42) pose for a photo after a jersey swap during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 24th, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (NFL Photos via AP)

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Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark (55), Seahawks wide receiver Amara Darboh (84) Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97), Seahawks strong safety Delano Hill (42) and Cowboys nose tackle Richard Ash (76) pose for a photo after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. All these players played played at several colleges in Michigan. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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30 December 2017: x, Jourdan Lewis, Chidobe Awuzie of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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31 December 2017: Jourdan Lewis (27)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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What's Been Good:

The goal is for your highly-drafted rookies to jump right into the deep end of the pool, and Jourdan Lewis didn't disappoint in that regard. It's easy to forget at this point, but it can't be forgotten that Lewis suffered a hamstring injury during what was essentially his first training camp practice and missed the entirety of the preseason. Despite that, once he was healthy the Cowboys threw him right into the fray. He nabbed an interception in his first NFL game and never looked back. In all, Lewis played 15 games, starting seven – playing both outside and in the slot. He finished with 46 tackles, and his 11 passes defensed led the entire team. Not bad for a guy who didn't have a training camp.

What's Been Bad:

It'd be nitpicking to say it was "bad," but Lewis showed some of the usual growing pains you'd expect from a rookie corner. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams famously picked on him in the Week 5 classic against Green Bay, completing two passes for 26 yards – including the game-winning touchdown. He also drew a 55-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Michael Crabtree in Oakland, setting the Raiders up with a good chance to win the game before Jeff Heath saved the day. Honestly, though, these are minor issues for a guy who proved himself capable of playing at multiple positions during his rookie season.

2017 Highlight:

It was fun to see the Dallas coaching staff give the young guys a shot in the final month of the season. After an ugly loss to the Chargers, Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie were promoted into starting roles, and the results were encouraging. The best of those efforts might have been the 30-10 win against the New York Giants on Dec. 10. Lewis finished the day with six tackles, and the Dallas secondary held Eli Manning to just 228 passing yards on 46 attempts – an average of less than five yards per throw.

What's Next:

Suddenly, the Dallas secondary looks young and crowded. That's the result when you invest a lot of draft picks in talented young defensive backs. Lewis, Awuzie and Anthony Brown should all be in the mix for a starting cornerback job, and the Cowboys plan to give Byron Jones a look at the position, as well. Orlando Scandrick is also still in the fold. Lewis has the talent to play at any of the cornerback spots, and given the promise that he showed a rookie, the hope is that he can maintain that momentum and beat out the competition to remain as one of the Cowboys' three primary cornerbacks this year.

Post draft, the scouts were really buzzing about both Chidobe Azzuie and Jourdan Lewis.
I personally felt that Azzuie had a chance to be special and despite missing a large chunk of the season still showed a ton of promise.
Like Azzuie, Lewis was dealing with his own issues health wise during training camp but recovered nicely to fill in during the Week 2 game against the Broncos with limited practice time recording his first NFL interception and never looked back.
Lewis had his ups and downs during the season but nothing that led you to believe that he was a liability.
His aggressive style was a welcomed addition to a secondary that was struggling to find some consistency from the starters.
After the disaster on Thanksgiving Day, the group as a whole improved with rookies Lewis, Azzuie and Xavier Woods manning the secondary.
What will be interesting for the upcoming season is if Byron Jones does make the move back to cornerback does that threaten Lewis' spot on that right side?
It appears that Azzuie is a lock at left corner so will Jones / Lewis be 1A and 1B or does Jones just become a sub player and enter the game in those situations with Lewis still as the starter?
My opinion is that Kris Richard is going to have a big say in which direction this goes for both Byron Jones and Jourdan Lewis.

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