REPORT: Dallas Cowboys Lose Key Pass Rusher For Season Due To ACL Injury

The Dallas Cowboys will be without one of their key pass rushers for the 2024 season. The Cowboys’ defense had major depth issues before the preseason.

The Dallas Cowboys added some depth on Sunday

Per the league’s transaction wire, the Cowboys claimed Kemon Hall off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. He’s no Stephon Gilmore, but he will add depth to a unit that lost Gareon Conley Sunday morning to a surprise retirement after a few months with Dallas.

Hall, an undrafted free agent, played on the Cowboys practice squad during the 2020 season. Since joining the league in 2019, he’s spent most of his career on various teams practice squads.

The Cowboys will now need to look for a defensive end. Sam Williams suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s practice and had to be carted off the field. The Cowboys sent Williams in for testing on his knee Sunday afternoon.

Sam Williams tore his ACL

According to Todd Archer with ESPN, Williams tore his ACL and will miss the entire 2024 season. Williams was set to be DeMarcus Lawrence’s relief this season. Williams, the Cowboys’ second-round pick in 2022, recorded 8.5 sacks over the previous two seasons.

Do the Cowboys have a replacement in mind?

Per Archer, the Cowboys have been impressed with 2024 second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland. He could gain more reps in training camp after Williams’ injury. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he likes where Kneeland is at:

“Impressive. Very impressive. Very mature,” coach Mike McCarthy said before Sunday’s practice. “Love his physicality, motor, just like we did during the draft process. He’s off to a good start. He’s very comfortable, picks it up in the classroom. Outward personality, which is important. He’s off to a good start.”

The Cowboys could look into free agency for a defensive end. Yannick Ngakoue and Carl Lawson would appear to be the top edge rushers available in the free agency market.

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