The Dallas Cowboys are now in training camp and will soon begin fully padded workouts. As the preseason draws near, the intensity is anticipated to increase. Exciting as it is to move closer to Week 1, this development also creates more hazardous situations as players compete for starting positions or roster berths.
Sadly, Dallas must deal with the team’s first significant injury of the camp.
Cowboys DE Sam Williams (knee) being carted off after going down during a drill pic.twitter.com/BJotookxEO
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 28, 2024
Sunday saw EDGE During practice, Sam Williams appeared to have suffered a left knee injury. The third-year player was so hurt that reporters witnessing the situation had to use a cart to get the young defender off the field. Williams seemed defeated when he got a ride, as Jon Machota of The Athletic photographed.
An eyewitness described Nick Harris’s injury from Cowboys.com as “not good.” Another worrying indication is that Williams got onto the cart without placing any weight on his wounded leg.
Uh oh. Sam Williams is down and needs the cart to come off the field. Described as “not good” from someone who saw the injury live.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/fIK79geTdy
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 28, 2024
Sam Williams didn’t put any pressure on his left leg as he made his way to the cart. Heading to locker room for more examination. pic.twitter.com/rwc8KHjawd
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) July 28, 2024
Williams’ injury would be devastating to a Dallas defensive already struggling with depth concerns if it were anything that may endanger the season.
Over his first two seasons in the NFL, Williams has been a reliable presence off the edge for the Cowboys. In 2022, he finished fifth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year competition with 4.0 sacks; the following year, he added 4.5 sacks and even recorded a safety.
Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, two important pass-rushers, left free agency this spring, leaving Dallas’ defense line with significant losses. In the event that Williams is injured, the Cowboys will need an impact player to support this group.