Malachi Lawrence to IR: The Cowboys’ First-Round Rookie’s Season Just Got Sidestepped for Weeks

The Cowboys just officially placed outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence on injured reserve. This is a tough blow for Dallas, especially considering the first-round pick injured his ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals and coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed he’d miss multiple weeks. Lawrence is now set to miss at least four games on IR, a significant chunk of time for a rookie making an impact.

The Rookie’s Rough Start

Lawrence, a first-round pick, has been a contributing piece for the Cowboys’ defense, playing 41 percent of their defensive snaps. Before hitting the IR, he’d racked up 13 tackles, notched a sack, and contributed three quarterback hits. Losing him for a minimum of four weeks means the Cowboys are without a key young talent who was just starting to find his footing in the league. It’s never easy to see a promising rookie sidelined so early, especially when they’re a first-round investment.

Liufau’s Return and Offensive Woes Pile Up

In a corresponding move, the Cowboys activated outside linebacker Marist Liufau from injured reserve. Liufau broke his forearm in the preseason finale but has been back practicing since October 22. His return is a timely boost for a linebacker corps that just lost Lawrence. However, the injury issues don’t stop there. Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard, who’s been in his 21-day return-to-practice window and had full practices all week despite a calf injury, will remain on injured reserve. On top of the defensive shuffle, the Cowboys also elevated wide receiver Jordan Hudson and tight end James Mitchell from the practice squad. They need the help, too, with tight ends Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker both questionable to play, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin out, and George Pickens also questionable. It’s a real challenge for Dallas to keep everyone healthy right now, affecting both sides of the ball.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.