In a devastating blow to the Dallas Cowboys’ defense, defensive end Sam Williams has been diagnosed with torn ligaments in his left knee, requiring season-ending surgery. The injury occurred during a special teams drill on Sunday, July 28, 2024, as Williams participated in a blocking drill before the team had even put on pads.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 261 pounds, Williams was anticipated to be a key contributor this season, especially after the exits of defensive end Dorance Armstrong and outside linebacker Dante Fowler during the offseason. The injury, which involves both the ACL and MCL, will sideline Williams for the entire 2024 NFL season. He will be added to the injured reserve list, leaving the Cowboys without his contributions for the remainder of the season.
The 25-year-old Williams, a second-round draft pick out of Mississippi in 2022, had been a key part of the Cowboys’ pass-rush rotation. Over the past two seasons, he has appeared in 32 regular-season games, including all 17 last year, and has recorded 8.5 sacks. His injury comes at a challenging time for the Cowboys, who are also dealing with other issues such as CeeDee Lamb’s holdout and quarterback Dak Prescott’s impending contract status.
During the incident, Williams was assisted by trainers and did not put any weight on his leg while being transported off the field on a motorized cart. The MRI results confirmed the severity of his injury, leading to the decision for immediate surgical intervention.
This setback leaves a significant gap in the Cowboys’ defensive lineup, which will need to be addressed as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. The team will rely heavily on edge rushers Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence to step up in Williams’ absence.
Stay tuned for further updates on Sam Williams’ recovery and how the Cowboys plan to adjust their defensive strategies in light of this major injury.
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