Sources – Parsons Cowboys, Lawrence Deals with Sprain

FRISCO, Texas – When the Dallas Cowboys play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 6, they may be without their two best defensive linemen.

An MRI on Friday confirmed that Micah Parsons suffered a left ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday, while defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a right midfoot sprain that will keep him out. For several weeks, according to sources.

It’s a huge blow for a defense that suffered losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens but gave up just 26 of its 24 rushing yards against the Giants.

“D-Law is worse than Micah,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “I don’t have a specific timeline but we’ll probably go into this a little deeper on Monday, but I know there will be second opinions on these two guys. They’re worse than we expected.”

Parsons and Lawrence are the Cowboys’ two best forwards. Lawrence leads the Cowboys with three sacks this season and Parsons has recorded at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons.

Parsons was injured rushing the passer from the middle of the Giants line. He was engaged with center John Michael Schmitz Jr. when guard Greg Van Roten landed on the back of Parsons’ leg. Parsons was attended to by medical staff before heading to the sideline. Eventually, he was taken by cart for an X-ray.

After the game, take the golf cart to the team bus.

Parsons has only missed one game in his career (2021, COVID). Lawrence played 38 consecutive games.

Lawrence suffered the injury in the third quarter while chasing Daniel Jones, and made a quick stop after the quarterback changed directions. He limped off the field and went to the locker room. While he returned to the bench, he did not return to the game. After the match, he said that the injury was not related to the foot fractures he suffered earlier in his career.

Without Parsons and Lawrence, the Cowboys finished Thursday’s game with rookie Marshawn Neyland and Chauncey Golston playing defensive end. In the past two weeks they promoted veteran Carl Lawson from the practice squad. Tyrus Wheat is on the 53-man roster but has been inactive for the past two games.

Losing two key defenders is not the best way to go through a difficult period of the season. After the Steelers, the Cowboys play important NFC games against the Detroit Lions (Oct. 13) and San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 27) with their bye week coming up.