Dallas Cowboys: Gerald McCoy injury hurts, but isn’t the end of the world

After the Dallas Cowboys released the injured Gerald McCoy, here’s why it isn’t a dire situation.

The Dallas Cowboys were supposed to have one of the most formidable, if not the most formidable, defensive line units coming into the season. Well, although they will be down one of the behemoths that they had scheduled to be along that defensive front, they should still challenge to be among the top units.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was set to be one of those along that inside front tasked with pressuring the opposing quarterback. This was an area where the Cowboys weren’t awful in last season, with both Maliek Collins and Michael Bennett able to generate four sacks apiece.

Well, it wasn’t to be, as McCoy suffered a season-ending quad injury this week and has now been released by the team. But here’s why it’s not a dire situation in Dallas.

The Cowboys still have Dontari Poe, Everson Griffen, DeMarcus Lawrence, and a slew of other defensive lineman to pick up the slack. This might even give one of those developmental guys or one of their younger players a better chance to make the team.

The Dallas Cowboys lost one of their big signings from the offseason. It isn’t the end of the world in Big D though.

At the very least, you can also take solace in the fact that the Cowboys took a chance on Aldon Smith. While Smith can generate a pass rush and pressure from anywhere along the defensive front when he’s right, you can sleep better at night knowing that he appears to be that way.

At least that’s according to all we’re hearing about Aldon through the grapevine. Dallas head coach, Mike McCarthy, said that Smith will make you ask who the hell is No. 58 at first sight (in a good way). McCarthy also mentioned his evident power and length, noting he’s very happy with Aldon’s progress so far.

Here’s what Smith’s new quarterback, Dak Prescott, had to say about the pass rusher’s return.

Those are definitely good signs based on the words of Smith new head coach and signal-caller. But Aldon isn’t the only reason for excitement as the Cowboys are still in the Randy Gregory business. That’s another positive potential addition for Big D, if they can get him back and keep him in the building.

With the Dallas Cowboys releasing Gerald McCoy following his injury, so that’s a roster spot worth filling if there’s a guy outside of someone already in their organization worth taking a flyer on. And while the McCoy injury hurts, it isn’t the end of the world for Dallas.