Cowboys coach hints at potential roster moves ahead of Week 15
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is rightfully excited about his unit's heroic effort against the Philadelphia Eagles. They held Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense, which ranks eighth in the NFL, to six points. And they needed a fake punt to get half of that! However, just like every rose has its thorn (or […]
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is rightfully excited about his unit's heroic effort against the Philadelphia Eagles.
They held Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense, which ranks eighth in the NFL, to six points. And they needed a fake punt to get half of that!
However, just like every rose has its thorn (or more fittingly, every Cowboy sings a sad, sad song), there's a blemish on the game from the defense: Starting nose tackle Johnathan Hankins suffered a high ankle sprain during the game.
Hankins was even carted off the sideline before he returned under his own power but didn't re-enter the game. That left the Cowboys with first-round rookie Mazi Smith at nose tackle for the rest of the game.
But on Monday, Quinn suggested the Cowboys could make some roster moves to beef up the defensive line if Hankins can't go.
"I don't know a lot yet," Quinn told reporters. "I've not visited with him or the medical guys yet but if he is (out), then you know the options would come obviously from within the team. So for people like Carl (Davis) and (Willington Previlon) who would be activated for us, but it's probably too early for us to know where that sits for this weekend's game anyway."
Davis and Previlon have yet to make their 2023 season debut but both are ready to go in case they're needed. One or both would be elevated from the practice squad if Hankins is still banged up by next Sunday.
Davis, a veteran looking to bounce back after being cut by the New England Patriots, has played in 72 games and started 19 in his career. Earlier this year, he shared a passionate and brutally honest message on social media, claiming it was his fault he got cut:
"And I ain’t do enough to keep myself in the door. I hold myself accountable. I got caught slipping. I wasn’t playing dominant enough as I know I can. Don’t message me with the ‘I’m sorry Carl, they made a mistake.’ No tf they didn’t. If a mf say ‘Carl, I need you to run through a brick wall to be on this team,’ (well) guess what. Run through the wall!”
– Carl Davis on IG, via NESN
As for Previlon, he's waiting to make his career debut since arriving at the league in 2020. Hankins' injury might provide him the opportunity he's worked so hard for.
All that being said, it's extremely clear the Cowboys will still miss Hankins on the interior defensive line if he does miss time.
"He's a really important factor for us inside," Quinn added. "He's square, he's strong, he's got tons of experience to do it. So, we'll have to see where it goes, but we're equipped if we have to, and hopefully, it doesn't get to that."
