Due to injuries, these two Cowboys have a ton of opportunities.
This past Sunday, the Cowboys triumphed handily against the Philadelphia Eagles in their second meeting. By halftime, it felt like the game was over because to the combined efforts of the special teams, defense, and offense. Dallas’ 33–13 victory did not improve their position in the postseason rankings, but it did demonstrate that they have one of the most comprehensive and well-rounded lineups in the whole NFL.
The Cowboys emerged from Week 14 victorious, but they were not without consequences. The loss of a vital defender was overlooked in the joy of winning. Interior lineman Jonathan Hankins went down during their first defensive series of the third quarter with what we subsequently found out to be a severe ankle sprain.
Although Hankins’ condition will be assessed in the coming days, a minimum of one to two weeks of inactivity is often anticipated. The science underlying an individual’s recovery is anything from precise, and even mild high ankle sprains require time to heal. The Cowboys will need to replace the void left by him, whether it lasts one week or four. And the hole is huge considering Hankins’s size.
Hankins is a special component in Dan Quinn’s defensive strategy. The 330-pound, 6-foot-2 lineman weighs more than a pint of Guinness. As the main 1-tech, he occupies the center and two-gaps to allow his more explosive and leaner teammates to rack up more points. His loss is noteworthy as there isn’t a definite backup plan in place.
The Cowboys do not wish to search outside the company for a replacement at 1-tech. As a stand-in for Hankins until he returns, Quinn has pointed to his own roster.
DTs Willington Previlon, Chauncey Golston, and Osa Odighizuwa all play interior defensive line, but because they are under 300 pounds, they are not good at playing one-tech. Despite being a DT that weighs more than 300 pounds, Neville Gallimore is more often deployed on passing downs than running downs and is not as strong versus the run as his stature would suggest.
The most obvious response is Dallas’ number one pick in the 2023 draft, Mazi Smith.
Smith, who is 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, fits the description of what used to be jokingly called “a trashcan full of dirt.” Smith, however, is a project player. This season, he’s had some really good snaps mixed in with some really bad ones. Even top-10 draft picks find it difficult to adjust to the DT position in the NFL. Though it would be unrealistic and possibly risky to expect him to continue where Hankins left off, he is undoubtedly in the mix.
Carl Davis, who recently joined, appears to be the best candidate based on the roster.
Davis, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound journeyman defensive end, was added to the practice squad in November. He’s a skins on the wall career 1-tech. He’s not really showy, but from what I’ve seen, he works. With Davis and Smith in a rotation, the Cowboys should be able to stay afloat defensively in the inside.
For Smith, it’s a fantastic chance to advance. If Davis is promoted, this winter will be a fantastic chance for him to prove he deserves a spot on the active roster. Since Hankins isn’t there to take care of the grunt labor and give them more time to create plays, it’s a test of mettle for everyone else.
The defense suffers with Hankins’ absence, but others also benefit from it.
