DeMarcus Lawrence Lands on IR, Out for At Least Four Weeks

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has been placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, expected to sideline him for 4 to 8 weeks. This is a significant blow to the Cowboys defense, as Lawrence has been a cornerstone of their pass rush for over a decade. The four-time Pro Bowler is known for his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and has been a key leader for the team.

Lawrence's absence is especially concerning for a Cowboys defense that has already struggled this season. With fellow pass rusher Micah Parsons also dealing with injuries, Dallas is left without its two most effective defensive playmakers. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Cowboys defense is currently ranked as the worst in the league, with a dismal overall grade of 52.0. While the pass rush has been a bright spot, their run defense has been a major weakness, consistently allowing big gains on the ground.

Last week, the Cowboys showed some improvement against the Giants, limiting New York’s running game. However, given the Giants’ lack of success in the run game this season, it's difficult to gauge whether Dallas has truly turned a corner in stopping the run. Lawrence, while struggling with tackling this year, has always been more known for his pass-rushing ability than his run-stopping prowess.

This Sunday, the Cowboys face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a primetime Sunday night matchup. The Steelers are playing some of the best football in the league, largely due to the resurgence of quarterback Justin Fields. Fields, who has credited his improvement to the coaching staff in Pittsburgh, has been dangerous as both a passer and a runner. Without Lawrence and Parsons, Dallas will face an uphill battle trying to contain Fields, especially his ability to get outside the pocket and make plays with his legs.

For the Cowboys to have a chance in this game, they will need players along the defensive line to step up in a big way. It’s a tough challenge for a unit that’s been struggling, but if Dallas hopes to come away with a win, they’ll need to find a way to apply pressure and shore up their run defense against one of the league's most dynamic offenses.