Cowboys seem to have decided on a Plan B for Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and it's not exactly promising
UPDATE: Since the writing of this article, the Cowboys have signed K.J. Henry off of the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad. The article is still relevant, however. Since we learned about Dallas Cowboys edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both being expected to miss playing time (the latter is even an IR candidate), we've been […]
UPDATE: Since the writing of this article, the Cowboys have signed K.J. Henry off of the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad. The article is still relevant, however.
Since we learned about Dallas Cowboys edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both being expected to miss playing time (the latter is even an IR candidate), we've been wondering what the plan will be to replace them.
Given the Cowboys' lack of depth and experience behind the two starters, many have speculated about potentially trading for an edge rusher around the league to boost the unit in much-needed fashion. Some have even talked about targeting Haason Reddick.
But the Cowboys are much likelier to run with a different Plan B for their edge rushers and it should be of no major surprise to anyone who has been closely following the team all these years: They'll stick with their guys.
According to Jerry Jones on 105.3 The Fan, the Cowboys are likelier to sign a defensive end off of another team's practice squad than they are making a trade. On Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer talked about younger players stepping up within the team.
The biggest name that could step up in a big way is second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland, who was considered one of the biggest steals in the entire 2024 NFL Draft. Kneeland has proven to be as strong as advertised and has even made some big plays here and there. He recorded his first sack on last week's "Thursday Night Football" win over the New York Giants.
However, he's still a rookie and it shows particularly when he rushes the passer. He still has a limited pass rush toolbox in terms of how he manufactures pressure, mostly relying on his impressive arm length and overall play strength.
"I like what we saw when he was in college," Zimmer told reporters when asked about Kneeland. "He's a hard-playing dude, likes to be physical, and he's very coachable. He soaks up a lot of the coaching and the things we're trying to teach him during the week about the game."
Zimmer also discussed Chauncey Golston as a player who "will get more playing time," adding that he's been good against the run but that the injuries to Parsons and Lawrence will give him more looks as a pass rusher.
Is this a good Plan B for the Cowboys defense?
I will cut the Cowboys some slack here and say they got really unlucky at defensive end: Not only did Parsons and Lawrence got hurt in the same game but remember Sam Williams suffered a season-ending injury in training camp as well. If he was available, we'd feel objectively better about the team's backups.
In other words, I'm not knocking them for not adding more depth as I did with the cornerback room as soon as DaRon Bland went down in camp.
However, that doesn't mean staying put is a promising plan. The Cowboys have a mediocre defensive end room without Parsons and Lawrence. If we're being totally honest here, through four weeks, they've been the only consistent unit on defense against the run by the way they're setting the edge and making plays.
Meanwhile, in the pass rush department, it's been Parsons being productive almost exclusively. When the Giants zeroed in on him last week in Daniel Jones' 41 dropbacks, no one stepped up to get some pressure in. Jones was hit three times and zero as he threw. He was sacked once by Kneeland.
But… the Cowboys like their guys. It's nothing particularly new in Dallas.
Adding someone off of a practice squad is likely not going to move the needle a whole lot as much as trading for a higher caliber player would. The Cowboys could make a move work if they really wanted to but once again, the front office is giving us an example of them being reactive and not necessarily proactive.
