Cowboys predictably sign underwhelming DE after Sam Williams injury

The Dallas Cowboys simply could not justify passing on signing a pass rusher after Sam Williams suffered a torn ACL in training camp. Entering his third season as a second-round pick in 2022, Williams was expected to play upwards of 70% of the snaps, per defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Like clockwork, but the Cowboys brought in four veterans for a workout this week. The group included Carl Lawson, who was hand-picked by the fan base as Williams' preferred replacement. Lawson posted a cryptic tweet in light of Williams' injury and his familiarity with defensive run-game coordinator Paul Guenther made Lawson a match made in heaven.

It pains us to say that Lawson is not coming to Dallas. Rather, the Cowboys have signed six-year pro Al-Quadin Muhammad, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Cowboys sign DEs Al-Quadin Muhammad in light of Sam Williams' ACL injury

A sixth-round pick of the Saints in 2017, Muhammad has 12 career sacks in 84 games. He last just one season in New Orleans, but landed on his feet with the Colts. Muhammad had two different stints in Indianapolis and played the best ball of his career with the AFC South squad.

Muhammad broke out with the Colts in 2021. He started 17 games and tallied six sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 37 pressures and a respectable 64.6 PFF player grade. He followed defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to the Bears the following offseason, but could only carve out a part-time role for himself.

Muhammad was released by Chicago after the season and he found his way back to the Colts only to be suspended six games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy. The 29-year-old didn't play a single snap in 2023, which is part of what makes this move so underwhelming.

UPDATE: The Cowboys have signed DE Shaka Toney in addition to Al-Quadin Muhammad.

The Cowboys also signed DE Shaka Toney on Friday. A former teammate of Mich Parsons at Penn State, Toney was among the pass rushers Dallas worked out at The Star this week. He also played under defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina in Washington.

Muhammad and Toney might not be the bigger names than Lawson, but it's possible Mike Zimmer saw more potential in the other pass rushers. It's fair to be underwhelmed by the move, but let's see what Muhammad and Toney can offer before we condemn the front office. After all, they've had success this offseason with identifying lesser-known and journeyman free agents.

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