It felt as early as October that the Dallas Cowboys' season was cursed. At the time, Micah Parsons had just gone down with a high-ankle sprain, which meant Dallas had already lost its top four defensive ends in as many weeks to injured reserve.
It turns out, the injury bug was only getting started. In the two months since, the Cowboys have seen Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs, Zack Martin and DeMarvion Overshown - four of the most important players on the roster - suffer season-ending injuries.
While Prescott is expected to be a full go for the offseason program, Diggs and Overshown's recoveries could bleed into the 2025 season. Overshown is considered a long shot to play next year given he tore three ligaments in his knee.
Martin, meanwhile, could retire after the season. As one of the best players in franchise history, it would be heartbreaking if Martin's final year ended prematurely.
It pains us to say that another Cowboys great in addition to Martin may have played his final snap for the franchise after the latest update on his injury.
DeMarcus Lawrence may have played his final snap for the Cowboys
Micah Parsons said after the Thanksgiving win that the Cowboys could get DeMarcus Lawrence back for their next game against the Bengals on Monday Night Football. It turns out Lawrence, who hasn't played since Week 4 due to a foot injury, wasn't close to suiting up.
Asked about Lawrence's status for Sunday Night Football against the Buccaneers, Mike McCarthy said the four-time Pro Bowler won't have his 21-day practice window opened this week. That all but rules Lawrence out for the game and time is now running out for him to return this season.
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The Cowboys only have two games left after Sunday: at the Eagles in Week 17 and home versus Washington to put a bow on the season. Since Lawrence still isn't cleared to practice, its probably in his best interest to shut it down.
The lifetime Cowboy will be a free agent after the season. At 32 years old (he turns 33 in April), this will be his last chance to cash in. Unless Dallas signs him before free agency, Lawrence will command a strong market. He's among the best at his position defending the run and he's still a handful to deal with as a pass rusher.
If you take a look at the upcoming defensive end market, Lawrence will arguably be the best free agent at the position. The Lions and Commanders are two teams that spring to mind that could vie for his signature. It stands to reason that any interested team would offer more than Dallas.
There's shaping up to be a bidding war for Lawrence. Why jeopardize that by returning for the final two games when the Cowboys have nothing to play for in terms of the playoffs?
Cowboys fans would hate it with every fiber of their being if this is how "Tank's" Dallas career ends, but it is suddenly a real possibility.