Cowboys finally ink top remaining free agent edge rusher

The Cowboys knew something had to be done when Sam Williams went down earlier this preseason with a torn ACL (and MCL) during practice. The third-year edge rusher was primed to take on a crucial role in Mike Zimmer’s defense, especially with the word that Micah Parsons would be lining up at linebacker more often, similar to his rookie season.

Dallas didn’t have any defensive ends who had the speed-to-power ratio as Williams, as rookie Marshawn Kneeland is more of a edge-setter despite having a tremendous camp that’s earned him Cam Jordan comparisons. With Parsons and starting LE DeMarcus Lawrence sitting out the first preseason game, the Cowboys’ pass rush was a non-factor, indicating there needed to be an improvement in talent and early Thursday morning that came with the signing of veteran DE Carl Lawson.

Lawson was among eight candidates Cowboys Wire identified as potential replacements once Williams went down, and after working out Lawson in a group on August 1, have now decided to bring him into the fold.

Also among the group the club worked out were Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney, both of whom Dallas signed earlier, with Toney being waived/injured on Wednesday in a separate move.

Lawson, 29, brings with him 2 career sacks, including two seasons with at least 7, including 2022 with the New York Jets. His career high came in his rookie season, 2017 with the Cincinnati Bengals, as a rotational sub they drafted out of Auburn in the fourth round.

At 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, he will be added to the defensive line along with veteran Jordan Phillips, whom the team traded for Wednesday evening.

The Cowboys have had a flurry of activity following their exhibition loss against the Los Angeles Rams, 13-12, on Sunday. Clearly they were waiting to see how some performed in actual game action and came away with a to-do list despite intercepting Stetson Bennett’s erratic passes four times.