Cowboys' Offensive Line Crumbles! Season-Ending Injury Shocks Team!
The Dallas Cowboys are facing a deepening injury crisis along their offensive line. After already losing left tackle Tyler Guyton to a knee injury during training camp, the team has now suffered another significant blow: offensive guard Rob Jones has been placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a broken bone in his neck.
Jones, who signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Cowboys this offseason, was expected to be a key contributor, potentially even the No. 2 option behind right guard Tyler Booker. His absence leaves a considerable void in the Cowboys' offensive line depth.
"Entering camp, Jones was one of six projected backups on the offensive line with starting experience. He has 30 career starts in his career, more than half coming last year with the Dolphins at right guard," the Cowboys said in a press release.
The injury occurred during the Cowboys' first padded practice of camp. While initial reports suggested Jones would only miss a couple of months, further evaluation revealed the severity of the injury.
Who Will Step Up?
With Jones sidelined, the Cowboys will need other offensive linemen like Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass to step up and prove their worth during the preseason. The pressure is on for these players to fill the gap and provide stability to the offensive line.
Malik Davis Returns
To fill Jones' roster spot, the Cowboys have decided to bring back running back Malik Davis, who previously played for the team in 2022, accumulating 161 rushing yards and a touchdown on 38 carries. Davis's return provides some much-needed depth to the running back position.
Former Dolphin's Woes
Interestingly, Jones's injury comes after a stint with the Miami Dolphins. While he started all 17 games for them last season, his performance was criticized, particularly regarding pass protection and penalties. Miami decided to revamp their guard position this offseason, replacing Jones with James Daniels and Jonah Savaiinaea.
Adding to the Dolphins' injury concerns, former running back Salvon Ahmed, now with the Indianapolis Colts, has also been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury sustained from an illegal hip-drop tackle. The tackle will end Ahmed's season.