2 moves Cowboys can make to overcome devastating injuries (and 1 they shouldn't)

The Dallas Cowboys faced a fork in the road of their season Thursday night against the New York Giants. While they picked up a gritty win on the road, their season is suddenly in dire straits following the injuries to defensive stars Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Parsons suffered a high-ankle sprain in the fourth quarter. While Parsons' status is yet to be determined, Dallas would be smart to rest him through the Week 7 bye. Meanwhile, Lawrence is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot sprain. The four-time Pro Bowler will see a specialist to determine the injury's severity and a rehab plan.

While Parsons and Lawrence get healthy, it will be on Mike McCarthy to get the offense humming again. Expectations for Mike Zimmer's defense should sink substantially but it is on the front office to make some moves to ensure the group remains afloat going into the bye.

Here are some moves Dallas should consider.

3. Cowboys should sign Carl Lawson to the active roster

Lawson did not cover himself in glory on Thursday night. He played 22 snaps and his most memorable moment occurred when he jumped offsides on a Giants third and long. Lawson's eagerness is understandable being he's barely played this year, but his snap share might double in light in Parsons and Lawrence's absence. He needs to have more discipline.

The former first-round pick has one practice squad elevation left before the Cowboys must sign him to the 53-man roster. Depending on whom they add for reinforcements, signing Lawson to the active roster would open up a spot on the practice squad.

Don't be shocked if Dallas sniffs around players they had in training camp. Shaka Toney is a former teammate of Parsons at Penn State, while Al-Quadin Muhammad took a visit with the Texans this week.

Unless the Cowboys make a trade, Lawson is better than any available free agent, including Muhammad and Toney. He needs to be signed to the 53-man roster so he isn't at risk of being signed by another team.

2. Cowboys can trade for Giants OLB Azeez Ojulari

The Cowboys learned on Thursday that the Giants' pass rush is legit. While right tackle Terence Steele kept Brian Burns in check, Kayvon Thibodeaux gave left tackle Tyler Guyton fits all game. Guyton committed two holding penalties and multiple pressures.

The Giants' offseason trade for Burns, who has 47 sacks in 84 career games, pushed Ojulari to a secondary role. A second-round pick in 2021, Ojulari has played just 89 snaps on the season, including only 18 against the Cowboys.

Injuries have made consistency hard to come by for Ojulari. He racked up eight sacks as a rookie, but played a combined 18 games between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

ESPN's Dan Graziano mentioned Ojulari as a top trade candidate before the trade deadline. The Cowboys and Giants struck a trade in August involving DT Jordan Phillips. That blew up in Dallas' face, but it showed that the rivals are more than happy to do business.

1. Cowboys should not trade for Jets DE Haason Reddick

The Jets' trade for Reddick might go down in history for all of the wrong reasons. Reddick is still holding out and his frustration with New York, which refuses to acquiesce to his contract demands, has reached a boiling point.

"I think Reddick is so frustrated with the Jets' situation - and of course, he did request a trade in August - so frustrated that he wouldn't mind going back to Philadelphia," ESPN's Rich Cimini said on his Flight Deck podcast.

Reddick was set to earn a non-guaranteed salary of $14.25 million this season. He's looking for a substantial raise and he has already conceited $8 million in fines, forfeited bonuses and salary amid his holdout.

Site expert Justin Fried of The Jet Press thinks "there's a chance Reddick gets traded and doesn't even get an extension midseason."

It's a very delicate and tense situation. At some point, though, Reddick has to show up. If he doesn't report before the Tuesday following Week 10, his contract will roll over into 2025 - meaning he won't be allowed to reach free agency and he'll be right back where he started.

The Cowboys would have to approach the Jets with utmost caution. They can't afford to pay Reddick what he wants, but if he's so desperate to get out of New York that he would agree to play for Dallas on his current deal, a fifth-round pick for a 13-week rental could get a deal done.

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