DeMarcus Lawrence slips in worrisome injury update in casual press conference
An NFL team is never going to give away information that could cause an uproar or help their opponent. That’s why Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy always keeps it very simple in his press conferences when it comes to injury updates.
“He looks good.”
“He’s improving but no timeline.”
“If he’s healthy, he will play.”
This week, the Cowboys head to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings — a team that has one of the best running backs and wide receivers in the game. The defense will be called upon to help keep Dallas in this contest once again.
The problem is that the defense may be without one of their biggest stars.
Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence did not practice on Wednesday due to a foot injury. This came as a shock to most as nobody knew he sustained an injury until people saw him on Wednesday’s injury report.
When McCarthy was asked about the veteran defender on Thursday, the coach made it seem like it was no big deal. Reporters were under the impression that it was a minor foot injury and that keeping him out of practice was precautionary rather than a true cause for concern.
“Just being smart with him. The intent is for him to play Sunday,” McCarthy told Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a foot injury in the Packers game. He will be limited in practice today. Mike McCarthy expects Lawrence to play Sunday against the Vikings.
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 17, 2022
Lawrence is the team's best run defender up front.
DeMarcus Lawrence gives concerning injury update after Cowboys practice on Thursday
However, when reporters spoke to Lawrence himself after practice on Thursday, the narrative certainly changed. Not only was the 30-year-old once again a non-participant on Thursday, but he also seems to be in much worse shape than initially thought.
The veteran told reporters that he has more than just a foot injury. He has injuries to both feet and his right knee.
But wait, there’s more! (sarcasm)
Lawrence casually added that he thinks “there could be a fracture” where he previously had foot surgery. For context, last season, the defender missed time after suffering from a broken foot that required surgery and caused him to miss most of the season. That doesn’t seem so casual!
DeMarcus Lawrence expects to play Sunday, but he has injuries to both feet and right knee. He thinks there could be a fracture where he had foot surgery
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 17, 2022
“It’s all about trying to maintain what I have but also taking care of me throughout the week so I can be fresh (on Sunday).” pic.twitter.com/guPQA1hwgw
He added this when talking to Jori Epstein of Yahoo! Sports:
"“Yeah, it does connect with last year’s…Over the time of the season, all the banging & stuff just fractured it a little bit more. So, we’ll be all right.”"
It’s one thing to play through pain, bruises, and soreness. It’s another thing to play with a potential fracture in your foot. Even if Lawrence does play, which he says he plans to, it’s not ideal for him to go into a game after missing multiple practices.
The Cowboys do have Dorance Armstrong and Sam Williams, who have shown flashes of brilliance this season.
There are still three more days until game day, but this is obviously a major cause for concern. With Dallas going up against one of the hottest offenses in the game right now, losing Lawrence would be a huge blow.
