Cowboys lose Sam Williams for season with torn ACL in crushing training camp injury

Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee and his season is done before it could ever get started, the team’s website reported .

Williams will need to undergo orthoscopic surgery and the Cowboys will place him on season-ending injured reserve, resulting in a massive blow for Dallas before the team held its first practice with pads.

The injury occurred on Sunday during practice when Williams was blocking during a special teams drill.

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NFL Network reported that he fell to the ground as he was blocking and grabbed his left knee before ultimately being taken off the field on a cart.

Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said after practice that “it doesn’t look good,” according to the team website.

“We didn’t like what we saw,” Jones added, according to ESPN.

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Williams was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and he was expected to play a big role for the Dallas pass rush this season.

Williams had 4.5 sacks during the 2023 season and he’s recorded 8.5 during his first two years in the NFL.

The Cowboys watched Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. depart for Washington during the offseason, and now have to find someone to fill the gap left by Williams’ injury.

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Marshawn Kneeland, the Cowboys’ second pick in this year’s draft, Durrell Johnson and Junior Fehoko are all potential options.

Head coach Mike McCarthy had told reporters before Sunday’s practice that Kneeland’s camp thus far had been “very impressive.”

“Love his physicality, motor, just like we did during the draft process,” he said. “He’s off to a good start. He’s very comfortable, picks it up in the classroom. Outward personality, which is important. He’s off to a good start.”

The injury to Williams is just another situation the Cowboys will have to contend with, as they deal with CeeDee Lamb currently holding out as well.

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