Cowboys free agency rumors: Looking for external pass rush options after Parsons, Lawrence injuries

The Dallas Cowboys woke up winners on Friday morning thanks to their win on Thursday Night Football, but before the sun set the mood had shifted as medical results confirmed that they have serious work to do.

On Friday, news broke that Micah Parsons has a high-ankle sprain. It is unknown whether or not he will miss any time. For what it is worth the Cowboys’ next game is still over a week away as they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday night.

It is possible that Parsons could not miss any time, but obviously it is also possible that he could. Where things are less ambiguous are with DeMarcus Lawrence as shortly after the Parsons news it was reported that Lawrence will miss multiple weeks with a foot injury.

Given that Parsons and Lawrence are the two best pass rushers on the Cowboys’ roster, and that their third, Sam Williams, tore his ACL in the early days of training camp, this team is in sore need of serious help. It was reported on Saturday morning by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that they are looking outside of the building to get it.

The Cowboys are looking at external options at pass rusher with Micah Parsons (high left ankle sprain) and DeMarcus Lawrence (right midfoot sprain) going down, but they will start in-house. They are hopeful Parsons will be back sooner rather than later. A source called him “week-to-week,” and he will be pushing to get back before the Week 7 bye. Lawrence’s absence is more open-ended, but it’s not a season-ender. This is a big stretch for rookie Marshawn Kneeland, on whom the Cowboys are high. (As for external candidates, I’m told Haason Reddick of the Jets isn’t a viable option via trade due to cost.)

Fowler notes that Haason Reddick is not an option for the Cowboys which puts an end to that conversation if any fan was wanting to have it. While Reddick is a talented pass rusher, the team that already traded for him this calendar year is still looking to see him for the first time as he is holding out from the New York Jets and wanting a new contract. There is no chance Dallas would pay the draft and financial compensation involved here.

As far as veterans are concerned. the list is hard to put together given that it is the Saturday of Week 4. Being frank, there is not exactly a group of players who can show up and rush the passer to an effective degree who are looking for new teams at the moment.

In terms of options on the roster the Cowboys will likely depend on rookie Marshawn Kneeland to a higher degree and ask Carl Lawson, a veteran pass rusher who they recently (sort of) already acquired to help carry the load.