Cowboys give encouraging injury update on promising 2021 rookie
The Cowboys hit the lottery in 2021 when they traded back two spots in the first round to take linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick. However, three rounds later, they took what could be another cornerstone piece for the defense moving forward. Dallas selected linebacker Jabril Cox out of LSU, who some had […]
The Cowboys hit the lottery in 2021 when they traded back two spots in the first round to take linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick. However, three rounds later, they took what could be another cornerstone piece for the defense moving forward.
Dallas selected linebacker Jabril Cox out of LSU, who some had as a Day 2 selection. Cox was viewed as a steal for the Cowboys and a compliment to Parsons, but, unfortunately, suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings while covering a punt.
Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones gave an update on Cox's rehab at the NFL Owners meeting that is taking place in Florida this week. According to Jones, Cox is doing very well in his recovery.
After the Cowboys released Jaylon Smith last October, Cox was supposed to see an increase in defensive snaps seeing as he only had four in the first month (all against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3). Cox never had a chance on the defensive side of the ball, as he logged just five defensive snaps for the rest of the season before his injury. He managed to play 123 snaps on special teams, however.
The Cowboys are now hoping that Cox can pick up where he left off during his collegiate days. Cox began his college career at North Dakota State. He produced 258 tackles (32 tackles for loss) and 14 sacks in his three seasons with the Bison.
Cox received plenty of accolades for his excellent performance on the field. He was named the MVFC Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-MVFC as a redshirt freshman (2017), MVFC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore (2018), two-time First-Team All-MVFC (2018, 2019), two-time FCS All-American and a three-time FCS champion.
In 2020, Cox joined the LSU Tigers as a graduate student to test his skills against better competition. Although the Tigers weren't good as a team, Cox flourished. He would amass 58 tackles, a sack, and three interceptions in 10 games. This silenced any doubts that he was just a small school wonder.
The calling card for Cox is his ability to excel in coverage. According to PFF, Cox didn’t allow a single touchdown nor was he penalized in 352 coverage snaps in which he defended 41 targets. In 1,114 career coverage snaps in college, Cox only allowed two touchdowns and recorded eight interceptions which are quite impressive.
Linebacker is a need for the Cowboys in the NFL draft next month, and Georgia's Nakobe Dean has been a popular pick for them at 24. However, seeing as safety Jayron Kearse is pretty much used as a linebacker in the Cowboys' nickel and dime sets, it isn't a need they must address in the first round, especially with Cox waiting for his shot to shine.
When the 2022 season kicks off for the Cowboys in September, it will be around 10 months since Cox's injury. That bodes well for him to be ready to contribute and possibly give the Cowboys one of the NFL's best young combinations at the linebacker position with Parsons and Cox.
Feature image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
