Cowboys steal practice squad standout Bengals should have promoted

The Dallas Cowboys' upcoming schedule is an absolute gauntlet and they could be without Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence for multiple games.

While Parsons all but ruled himself out for Sunday's game against the Steelers, there is some hope that he can return the following week before the bye. Lawrence, however, is expected to miss extended time with his foot injury and is a prime candidate for injured reserve.

Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan that the Cowboys won't explore a blockbuster move to overcome Parsons and Lawrence's injuries. Rather, they will look internally (Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat, etc.) and scour practice squads for potential reinforcements.

Well, it didn't take long for Dallas to find someone they liked. Early Tuesday the team signed K.J. Henry off the Bengals' practice squad, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. It's a two-year deal for Henry, but that is so he can join the Cowboys' active roster.

Cowboys sign pass rusher K.J. Henry off the Bengals practice squad

Henry was actually a fifth-round pick by the Commanders last year. He had a representative preseason, but it wasn't enough to make the 53-man roster. On 48 pass-rush snaps, Henry accumulated 10 pressures, one sack and a 20.8 pass-rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus.

This move won't move the needle for Cowboys fans, but Henry is hungry for playing time and he should see plenty of it in Dallas. The 25-year-old had played just 10 snaps for the Bengals this season, but managed to record a quarterback pressure. He was not happy that Washington cut him and he has shared his frustration over his lack of playing time on social media.

An added bonus is that Henry has experience with defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina, who is as intense and accountable as they come.

It's not the blockbuster trade that fans are hoping for, but the Cowboys were never going to bring in a player on a big contract.

Henry hopefully won't be the only DE addition in light of Parsons and Lawrence's injuries, but in terms of poaching practice squad players, the former Clemson star is about the best Dallas could have done with a limited window of opportunity. And by "Dallas" we mean vice president of player personnel Will McClay and the team's scouting department - not Jerry Jones.

With the Cowboys bereft of pass rushers look for Henry to have a sizable role Sunday night even though he just signed.

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