How will the season ending injury to Sam Williams affect the way Mike Zimmer was planning on using Micha Parsons? – Walter DeBell/Troy, NY
Nick Eatman: I think that's a fair question and one that will be determined later on, depending on the other players that step up. If they don't, then it's probably going to change the way Micah is used. We know he's going to rush the passer quite a bit, but he might do it even more if he's the only real threat on the edge. I would think someone will emerge to the point where Parsons will be able to roam a little more. In camp so far, we've seen him line up in the middle of the field quite often, but half of the time, he's rushing from there. So it's early and we really won't know how Parsons is going to be used until Week 1 of the season. But needless to say, the Cowboys are begging for someone else to step up and fill the void.
Patrik: It's a massive blow for the defense for several reasons. The primary involves the loss of Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler and now Sam Williams this summer — the first two to free agency — and that means depth at the EDGE is wafer thin now as far as proven talent goes. I believe the Cowboys will begin, and quickly, taking a look at the free agency pool for a possible veteran add to stabilize that side of the defensive line, but they'll also likely give their young talent (e.g., Marshawn Kneeland, Junior Fehoko, Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat, Durrell Johnson) a shot in one or two preseason games before they pull that trigger. I don't think it will impact how Zimmer plans to use Micah Parsons, at least not yet, as the plan will likely remain in place to keep him versatile with the hope that others step up. If they fail to do so quickly enough and if no veteran is added, this becomes a much, much different scenario for Parsons and, at that point, he basically becomes a mostly defensive end again instead of Waldo.
