The Cowboys suffered a pair of significant injuries on defense in Thursday night's win over the Giants. Edge Micah Parsons sustained a left high ankle sprain. Edge Demarcus Lawrence suffered a right mid-foot sprain. ESPN's Todd Archer reports that both players could miss "multiple weeks." Dallas has two more games before a Week 7 bye.
These are especially large blows to a defense that already lost No. 3 Edge Sam Williams for the year back in summer.
The Cowboys have generated just 8 sacks through four games, with only Lawrence and LB Eric Kendricks notching more than 1. Last year's Cowboys averaged 2.7 sacks per game, tying for 13th in the league.
Don't expect to see the Cowboys' team defense projected in starter range for matchups with the Steelers and Lions the next two weeks.
IDP managers also shouldn't look to Dallas for replacements. Rookie Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, and recently signed Carl Lawson are the next guys up on the edge.
That trio has combined for 1 sack and 3 QB hits so far this season.
Parsons' absence will also leave a few LB snaps available per game but not enough to alter the picture for that position. According to Pro Football Focus, he has yet to play more than six snaps at off-ball LB in any game this year.
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