FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys defender DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a broken foot in Wednesday’s practice that will force him to miss 6 to 8 weeks, according to sources.
It’s a giant blow for a defense that didn’t generate any sacks in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could also be without its second-best running back, Randy Gregory, on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lawrence was classified as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, but an MRI was immediately performed, which revealed the rupture. Lawrence did not practice most of the training camp due to off-season back surgery, but recorded six attacks, two quarterback pressures and forced a fight against the Buccaneers. He has 45.5 sacks for his career and has been selected twice for the Pro Bowl.
As for Gregory, coach Mike McCarthy didn’t look hopeful before practicing that he passed the COVID-19 protocols in time to play against the Chargers.
“If you look at the story, it’s been ten days since almost everyone we’ve dealt with the COVID protocol,” he said. “We’ll just see how it goes.”
With Lawrence out and if Gregory can’t play, the Cowboys would potentially turn to Dorance Armstrong and Tarell Basham as starters with Bradlee Anae and Chauncey Golston as backups. They have combined 10 sacks in their career, or just 3.5 sacks more than Lawrence recorded a year ago. Basham has 7.5 sacks in 59 games.
Golston, selected in the third round, missed the entire training ground with a hamstring injury and was inactive for the season opener.
Perhaps the start of Wednesday’s practice was a bad omen for the Cowboys ’defensive line. Defensive line coach Leon Lett was removed from the pitch with an apparent injury to his right knee that will require surgery.
Since the 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers, the Cowboys have lost four starters: wide receiver Michael Gallup was placed on the injured reserve with a calf stump, right attack La’el Collins was suspended five games to violate the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Gregory was placed on the COVID-19 list and now Lawrence comes out with a broken foot.
WFAA-TV first reported news of Lawrence having a broken foot.