Cowboys defensive lineman Sam Williams suffered a torn ACL and medial collateral ligament in his left knee, ending his season before it ever began. The team’s website stated:.
Williams will need arthroscopic surgery and the Cowboys will place him on the injured reserve list for the rest of the season, dealing a major blow to Dallas before the team holds its first practice with pads.
The injury occurred on Sunday during practice when Williams was intercepting the ball during special teams drills.
NFL Network reported He fell to the ground while making the tackle and grabbed his left knee before eventually being carried off the pitch on a cart.
“It doesn’t look good,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after practice, according to the team’s website.
“We didn’t like what we saw,” Jones added. According to ESPN.
Williams was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and was expected to play a big role in Dallas’ offense this season.
Williams totaled 4.5 sacks during the 2023 season and recorded 8.5 during his first two years in the NFL.
The Cowboys saw Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. leave for Washington during the offseason, and now they have to find someone to fill the gap left by Williams’ injury.
Marshawn Neyland, the Cowboys’ second pick in this year’s draft, Dorell Johnson and Junior Fehoko are potential options.
Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters before Sunday’s practice that Neyland’s camp so far has been “very impressive.”
“I like his physicality and his mobility, just like we did during the selection process,” he said. “He’s off to a good start. He’s very comfortable, he’s picking up his skills in the classroom. His outward personality, that’s important. He’s off to a good start.”
Williams’ injury is just another situation the Cowboys have to deal with, as they are currently dealing with a resilient C.D. Lamb as well.
