Cowboys super star suffers serious neck injury.
Are the Cowboys preparing for life without a key player?
The Cowboys Without a Key Player: A Report
Dallas Cowboys DE Johnathan Hankins is set to miss the rest of the season with a “minor” high ankle sprain, according to the team’s official report. However, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the injury does not appear to be serious and is expected to be ready for the playoffs.Rapoport reported that the Cowboys DT, who left Sunday’s game in pain, has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and will have an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.
Carl Davis is expected to be the go-to player for the Dallas Cowboys in the event that the team’s leading tackler, Janathan Hankins, is sidelined for an extended period of time.
All indications are that if Hankins is out, the Cowboys will be dealing with the problem internally. On the practice squad, Carl Davis is expected to play if he’s out.
Following Johnathan Hankins’ high ankle sprain earlier this month, the Dallas Cowboys’ coaches have been talking a lot about practice squad defensive tackle Carl Davis, who has been with the team for eight years and is listed at 5-foot-11, 335 pounds. In a December 11 message, X.com’s Nick Harris listed Davis as one of the players to watch for a promotion this week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
“Johnathan Hankins has been a key component of the Dallas Cowboys’ improved run defense,” Harris wrote.
Dallas’ defense has tightened up in terms of stopping the run, and it’s all thanks to Hankins. The Cowboys acquired him in a trade from the Oakland Raiders in October 2022, ahead of last season’s trade deadline that made headlines around the NFL.
The Cowboys defense ranks 13th overall in the NFL in terms of rushing yards allowed, allowing 106 yards per game heading into Week 15. This is a significant improvement from a defense that ranked near the bottom in the NFL in the run defense in 2022.
Mazi Smith could see an increase in snap
Prior to his ankle injury, the 26-year-old defensive end had started all 13 regular-season games for Dallas, logging 26 tackles (26 solo), three sacks (3), three quarterback hits (3) and two pass deflections (2).
Hankins’ injury is likely to open up more playing time for second-year pro Mazi Smith, who, according to head coach Mike McCarthy, has stepped up his game since the start of the season.
“Mike McCarthy didn’t have an exact timeline on when Johnathan will return from his ankle sprain,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on December 11, “but he’s been pleased with Mazi Smith’s progress so far. He said he’s not thinking as much, just playing.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott thinks the Dallas Cowboys should have scored 50 points against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott thinks the offense should have had at least 50 points against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite the Cowboys’ statement-making victory.
When asked about his performance on December 10, Prescott said, “Yes, I played well enough to win. But I hold myself to a very high standard. If I play my best, we’ll put up 50 points. That’s what I put into this game, that’s what I prepare for. And that’s what I’m going to continue to strive for.
