For the most part, it was an uneventful offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. Surely, they signed quarterback Dak Prescott to the league’s second-biggest contract ever and largest amounts on the front-end of a deal. Yes, they decided they were going to have Hard Knocks document their training camp experience for the world to see. But there’s been very little in the waves department and that’s a good thing.
Now that camp has officially opened for them and the Pittsburgh Steelers, participants in the Hall of Fame Game to kick off the exhibition season, there are actual football things to discuss. As Dallas opens their first practice for the 2021 season, the news will now center around performance, and who isn’t able to perform. On that front, the team will start camp without six of their 90-man roster, unable to participate as they have been placed on the PUP list. WR Amari Cooper, DE DeMarcus Lawrence and third-round rookie DE Chauncey Golston are the most prominent names.
The Cowboys will place Amari Cooper (ankle), DeMarcus Lawrence (back), Trysten Hill (knee), Greg Zuerlein (back), Chauncey Golston (hamstring) and Mitch Hyatt (knee) on PUP to open camp, according to a source. Hill and Hyatt likely need the most rehab time compared to others.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) July 22, 2021
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill is also noteworthy, as he was knocked out of the season last year with an ACL injury. ESPN’s Todd Archer adding that he will need the most rehab time is troubling for him because Dallas’ defensive interior has been a sore spot. A surprise second-round pick in 2019, Hill came in with question marks and hasn’t been able to make a name for himself in the pros. Now on his third defensive coordinator in three years in Dan Quinn, him being available to learn the nuances of the defenses seems imperative.
Hyatt missed last year with injuries and is a former UDFA tackle who would widely be considered on the bubble this season.
Zuerlein had back surgery in the offseason, but the Cowboys do not have another kicker on the roster so that’s a good sign for his recovery trajectory being sooner rather than later.
The PUP during training camp is not a big deal at the time. Any player can be activated from it at any time. Its importance is that if said player still isn’t ready by the time the regular season rolls around, it gives the teams added flexibility when cutting down to 53 players for the regular season. The player can stay with the club, miss the first week of the season but never have to be placed on season-ending IR or waived and risked exposure.
Cooper’s ankle injury is in line with his consistent foot injuries which have hampered him for years but rarely keep him out of the WR rotation come the regular season. He’s dealing with ankle irritation.
Lawrence had back surgery in 2016 and had a second clean up procedure this offseason.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on DE DeMarcus Lawrence undergoing his third offseason back surgery since 2016: “It was more of a cleanup. There is not high concern.” Of all players, DT Trysten Hill is furthest away, McCarthy said.
Also back surgery for K Greg Zuerlein.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 22, 2021
DeMarcus Lawrence is working back from a clean-up back procedure in the offseason, Mike McCarthy said. Doesn’t think any of the players starting camp on PUP are dealing anything long term. “This is the time to be smart,” he said.
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) July 22, 2021
Amari Cooper, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trysten Hill will start training camp on PUP. Lawrence had an off-season back surgery. “It’s not of high concern,” Mike McCarthy said.
McCarthy thinks Hill is the furthest away. “I don’t have any long terms concerns (with any of the injuries).”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 22, 2021
In addition, UDFA WR TJ Vasher is starting camp on the very similar Non-Football Injury (NFI) list dealing with a knee injury that happened from while he was in college.
