Fresh off a Thursday night win, the Cowboys received some unfortunate news Friday.
Two-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a high ankle sprain in the prime-time victory over the division-rival Giants and is awaiting further information on how long he might be out, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Dallas also lost four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, who is expected to miss multiple weeks because of a foot injury suffered in the 20-15 win over the Giants, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.
Lawrence is expected to be out at least four weeks with a mid-foot sprain and could land on injured reserve, Rapoport added.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Friday that Lawrence's injury is worse than Parsons', but both were "worse" than Dallas anticipated.
The combined news will likely sideline Dallas' top two edge defenders until after its Week 7 bye.
Parsons initially exited the Week 4 game early in the second quarter, but returned to the action. He played his final snap of the night late in the fourth quarter before leaving with the injury. Lawrence, meanwhile, played into the early portion of the third quarter before his night ended.
The Cowboys have had a tumultuous season on the defensive side of the ball, dominating Cleveland to open the season before surrendering 72 combined points in consecutive losses. They entered Week 4 ranked in the bottom five in the NFL in scoring and total defense, but managed to post improved totals and played well enough to keep New York out of the end zone entirely Thursday night.
Now, they'll have to find a way to keep the positive momentum going without two of their most important defenders.
