FRISCO, Texas – Calf injuries have plagued the Cowboys this season including one to both Dak Prescott and Michael Gallup. The bug hit again on Thursday, this time to a cornerstone defensive player.
Defensive end Randy Gregory will miss multiple weeks after suffering a calf injury during one-on-one drills during practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday evening that revealed a strain. He is currently not on the Reserve/Injured list but could potentially be added. Placing him on IR would result in a mandatory three-game absence. A major blow to the team’s pass rush in preparation for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10. In his ascending 2021 campaign, Gregory has amassed 10 tackles, five sacks, 29 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in seven games. His dominance off the edge and lethal bull rush move have spearheaded the defense, freeing things up for the second and third levels of Dan Quinn’s unit.
“He is having a heck of a year … he’ll attack the rehab just like he has attacked everything else,” McCarthy said.
The Cowboys have already been without starting left defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who suffered a broken foot during practice the week following the team’s season opener against Tampa Bay. He underwent surgery on the foot and has spent the remainder of the season on IR and now, the club’s starting right defensive end will be a spectator as well. Last week against the Broncos, the Cowboys struggled to set the edge. Players were trapped inside and beat at the point of attack, resulting in open rush lanes down the perimeter for the Broncos’ 1-2 punch. With his loss, the Cowboys could look to Move Micah Parsons to an edge-rushing role against Atlanta. Parsons has displayed his sideline to sideline range and instinctual play as a rookie, but also possesses rare closing speed to collapse the pocket.
