Mike McCarthy updates the status of defensive star DeMarcus Lawrence

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy provided an update on Monday about the injury status of star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. McCarthy explained that their star player might be returning to the team within a matter of weeks.

DeMarcus Lawrence status update

“Mike McCarthy said DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) is ‘getting close.’ McCarthy got a ‘good report’ on Lawrence today,” reported The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Lawrence is probably another week or two away from returning to practice.”

Lawrence broke the fifth-metatarsal in his foot during practice after the Cowboys’ opening game with the Patriots. At the time, surgery was needed and there were concerns about whether he would be available at all during this season. Initial estimates by the Cowboys were that he would be available after roughly eight weeks and they would have him back in November.

On Monday, it appeared that the Cowboys believed their diagnosis was accurate as Lawrence was nearly ready to return to the field. In his absence the Cowboys have not lost a game thanks to major defensive contributions by cornerback Trevon Diggs and defensive lineman Randy Gregory.

Jabril Cox suffers significant injury

While the Cowboys received good news about Lawrence, they learned that rookie linebacker Jabril Cox is likely to miss significant time for them. Cox, a 2021 fourth round draft pick out of LSU, is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

“In a few hours, Cowboys LB Jabril Cox will undergo an MRI that is expected to confirm diagnosis of a right ACL tear, source said,” Gehlken tweeted Monday morning. “Full extent of damage not yet known, but rookie season is likely over for the fourth-round pick from LSU.”

Cox only has two tackles this season, but he has primarily played a role on special teams so far. He played one season at LSU last season after starting his collegiate career at North Dakota State. Last year with LSU, Cox started all ten games and finished third on the team with 58 tackles, also adding 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and one sack.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this article.