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FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence broke his foot in Wednesday practice, which will require him to miss 6 to 8 weeks, sources say.
It’s a blow to a defense that didn’t generate a sack in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and could also do without its second-best passer, Randy Gregory, on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lawrence was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, but immediately had an MRI, which revealed the rupture. Lawrence didn’t train for most of training camp due to offseason back surgery, but he recorded six tackles, two quarterback presses and forced a fumble against the Buccaneers . He has 45.5 sacks for his career and is a two-time Pro Bowl pick.
As for Gregory, coach Mike McCarthy didn’t seem optimistic before training to pass COVID-19 protocols in time to play against the Chargers.
“If you look at the history, it’s been 10 days for just about everyone we’ve dealt with in 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 look to Dorance Armstrong and Tarell Basham as starters with Bradlee Anae and Chauncey Golston as replacements. They have combined for 10 sacks in their career, just 3.5 sacks more than what Lawrence recorded a year ago. Basham has 7.5 sacks in 59 games.
Golston, a third-round pick, missed all of training camp with a hamstring injury and was inactive for the season opener.
Perhaps Wednesday’s start to practice was a bad sign for the Cowboys’ defensive line. Assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett was hauled off the field with an apparent right knee injury that will require surgery.
Since the 31-29 loss to the Buccaneers, the Cowboys have lost four starters: wide receiver Michael Gallup was placed in the injured reserve with calf strain, right tackle La’el Collins was suspended five games for having violated NFL drug addiction policy, Gregory was placed on the COVID-19 list and now Lawrence is out with a broken foot.
WFAA-TV first reported the news that Lawrence had a broken foot.
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