The Dallas Cowboys defense was dealt a harsh blow at training camp practice on Sunday.
Defensive end Sam Williams suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during practice an MRI confirmed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported. Williams also sustained a torn MCL and will be placed on season-ending injury reserve, the team announced.
Williams was engaged in a block during a special teams drill before falling to the ground and grabbing his left knee, per NFL Network’s Jane Slater and Rapoport. He was subsequently carted off the field.
Williams, a 2022 second-round pick of the Cowboys, was set to enter his third NFL season.
Williams was yet again set to be a valued member of the pass-rush rotation for the Cowboys, who are led on the edges by Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence.
Through two seasons, the 25-year-old has played in 32 games, coming off the bench to provide plenty of punch with 8.5 career sacks and, 16 QB hits, 15 tackles for loss and 48 tackles.
Thus far, the Cowboys’ offseason and training camp start has been rife with off-field drama such as CeeDee Lamb’s holdout and Dak Prescott entering his last season under contract. Unfortunately, Williams’ injury has given the Cowboys a far more difficult on-field issue to overcome.