Cowboys Place Rookie OLB Malachi Lawrence on IR, Activate Marist Liufau
Dallas's first-round edge rusher is out at least four games with an ankle injury as Liufau makes his season debut Sunday at Indianapolis
The Cowboys reshuffled their edge group Saturday ahead of the trip to Indianapolis. Dallas placed rookie first-round outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence on injured reserve and activated Marist Liufau from IR, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.
The #Cowboys placed rookie first-round LB Malachi Lawrence on IR and activated OLB Marist Liufau from IR. The team elevated WR Jordan Hudson and TE James Mitchell from the practice squad. DT Jonathan Bullard will remain on IR and has been ruled out for tomorrow.View on X →
Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo): The #Cowboys placed rookie first-round LB Malachi Lawrence on IR and activated OLB Marist Liufau from IR. The team elevated WR Jordan Hudson and TE James Mitchell from the practice squad. DT Jonathan Bullard will remain on IR and has been ruled out for tomorrow.
Lawrence, the No. 23 overall pick out of UCF, had moved into the starting lineup over the last three weeks before an ankle injury knocked him out. He finishes this stretch with 13 tackles and a sack through eight games, and the coaching staff had been pointing to his recent progress before the setback. IR means he will miss at least four games, with the earliest possible return in early December against Seattle.
Liufau fills the roster spot after fracturing his forearm in the preseason finale and missing the first eight games. He will make his season debut Sunday. Garafolo also noted that Dallas elevated wide receiver Jordan Hudson and tight end James Mitchell from the practice squad, while defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard remains on IR and is ruled out against the Colts.
Dallas (3-5) visits Indianapolis (2-6) on Sunday. Losing a developing first-round edge rusher thins a group that already includes Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Von Miller, and it comes three days before the NFL trade deadline with the Cowboys still looking for pass-rush help.