The Dallas Cowboys continue to fortify the defensive front ahead of the 2024 campaign.
The Cowboys are signing veteran defensive end Carl Lawson, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning, per sources informed of the deal.
The move comes after Dallas traded for defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on Wednesday.
Lawson lingered on the open market this offseason after failing to puncture the New York Jets' edge rush rotation in 2023. Lawson dealt with a back injury before the season and was a healthy scratch at times, playing just 98 snaps over six games, per Next Gen Stats. The 29-year-old generated zero sacks and just five tackles.
A fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, Lawson burst off the edge early in his career before inking a three-year, $45 million contract in New York in 2021 to provide pop in Robert Saleh's defense. However, he ruptured his Achilles during training camp, missing the entire season. He returned in 2022 to put up seven sacks before last year's goose egg. Lawson has 27 career sacks.
The Cowboys needed edge rush depth behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence after losing Sam Williams to a knee injury early in camp. The Cowboys waived Shaka Toney, a player previously signed to help fill Williams' role, with an injury designation this week.
After inactivity in free agency early this offseason, Dallas has beefed up its defensive line depth in two days, adding Phillips and Lawson as the 2024 season quickly approaches.
