When inside linebacker Jack Sandborn exited the game with a concussion in the second quarter of the Cowboys' 37-22 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, it appeared that a struggling defensive unit had gotten even weaker.
But rookie fifth-round draft pick Shemar James had different ideas. The former Florida Gator came in and held his own in Sandborn's place and contributed to the team's best all-around defensive effort this season.
James was fantastic for Matt Eberflus's defense in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon, quelling fans' fears that there would be a significant drop-off when Sandborn exited.
Shemar James was making plays all over the field in Cowboys' Week 5 win
Playing in just his second game, James was flying to the ball and going sideline-to-sideline on his way to collecting a team-high 15 tackles that included eight of the solo variety. The 15 tackles were the most by a Cowboys player since Sean Lee racked up 17 tackles back in 2015.
James and the Cowboy defense did a tremendous job of limiting one of the NFL's most explosive backfields that includes mobile dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields and shifty running back Breece Hall.
Fields is a threat to take off from the pocket at any time, and it was James who was key in limiting him to 26 yards on seven carries, which is an average per carry of under 4 yards. To put that in perspective, Fields had toted the ball 24 times for 178 yards in the three games he had started this season. That's good for an average of 7.4 yards per carry.
While Hall fared better, registering 113 yards on 14 carries, it was James who was in position to keep the dangerous Jets back from breaking loose for any back-breaking huge runs.
James may have not supplanted Sandborn entirely after one stellar game, but at the very least, he earned more reps in a back-up role when the starter clears the concussion protocol.
He will definitely be popping on film this week as Eberflus gameplans for the upcoming road contest vs. the Carolina Panthers. The Cowboys will be looking to sneak over .500 for the first time this season.