Tarell Basham reactivated just in time to help Cowboys struggling run defense
Just over a week after the Dallas Cowboys chose to release DT Trysten Hill, the team has activated DE Tarell Basham from the injured reserve. Basham will be another asset to help Dan Quinn figure out how to make this run defense stronger as his squad is set to face top backs like Aaron Jones on the second-half of their schedule.
Dallas is currently giving up an average135.1 ground yards per game, which ranks them as ninth-worst in the NFL. It’s a sore spot on an otherwise stellar defensive group.
Basham will rejoin a group of excellent pass rushers in Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler Jr., and Sam Williams after missing the last seven games. The 28-year-old suffered a quad-injury in the season-opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His 21-day practice window began on October 19, and he was activated this Wednesday. It’s likely that his journey to good health is part of the reason Hill was on the trading block and the Cowboys were okay letting the DT go. It seems clear that the front office favors Basham over Hill.
Cowboys have activated DE Tarell Basham from injured reserve, person familiar with decision said. Basham has been sidelined since Week 1 quad injury. Now, back on 53-man roster. Another edge rusher for DC Dan Quinn.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 9, 2022
The Cowboys activated DE Tarell Basham after he missed seven games with a quad injury
This is great timing for Basham’s return. Not only is the run defense the biggest downfall of this team, but the remaining schedule also doesn’t lend itself well to this weak spot.
In the next eight games, the Cowboys will face star running backs like
- Packers RB Aaron Jones
- Vikings RB Dalvin Cook
- Giants RB Saquon Barkley
- Colts RB Jonathan Taylor
- Jaguars RB Travis Etienne
- Texans RB Dameon Pierce
- Eagles RB Miles Sanders
- Titans RB Derrick Henry
With the exceptions of Jones and Taylor, all of those names currently are in the top 10 in terms of total rushing yards in the league. These are tough players to face even if you have a strong run defense, so the hope is that the combination of newly-added Johnathan Hankins and the return of Basham can really help this team move forward in a positive direction.
In other injury news, while Basham was activated, another much-awaited name was not. Wide receiver James Washington (who broke his foot during training camp) is not returning to practice this week and Mike McCarthy said the team plans to wait a bit longer to begin his 21-day practice window.
Both the Cowboys and the Packers have lengthy injury report lists coming into Week 10, but Jones and Basham likely playing is great news for both teams.
