Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence is expected to miss at least four weeks and is a “prime candidate to land on injured reserve” due to a foot injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Lawrence suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Cowboys’ 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday night. He was examined on Dallas’ sideline before heading to the locker room.
The four-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher racked up three sacks through the first four games of the season.
Dallas’ defense will be missing several key pieces moving forward, as star outside linebacker Micah Parsons suffered a high-ankle sprain during Thursday’s win. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reported that Parsons could miss “between” two and four weeks before returning.
Cowboys pass-rusher Sam Williams was previously ruled out for the season after he suffered a torn ACL near the start of training camp.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Lawrence’s injury is worse than Parsons’, adding that both players’ injuries are worse than expected and that they’ll each get a second opinion.
All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland also hasn’t been able to suit up in 2024, as he opened up the season on injured reserve due to a stress fracture in his left foot.
Lawrence has been an important part of Dallas’ front seven since he was drafted with a second-round pick in 2014, spending all 11 years of his career with the organization. He’s remained relatively healthy prior to his injury against New York, appearing in 17 regular-season games in each of the past two seasons.
Pelissero noted on Friday that Lawrence and Parsons are “likely” going to remain out until the Cowboys’ Week 7 bye. If that’s the case, their earliest chance to return would be against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 27.
In the meantime, expect Marshawn Kneeland, Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston to be given expanded roles in defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s unit until Lawrence is able to return to the field.
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