IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys didn't envision their second-round pick to be on crutches three weeks before the season opener.
That's the case for defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, whose fractured foot needed surgery that will likely keep him out eight to 12 weeks, but he's trying to stay optimistic.
"Knowing that I'm coming back soon, maybe in the next month or two, keeps my head high," Lawrence said. "I'll be back."
Lawrence fractured the foot during pass rush drills going against Tyron Smith at training camp on July 29. He made a move to the outside, landed on the wrong side of the foot and felt a pop. He immediately knew he wasn't about to walk off whatever happened to his foot.
It was a gut-wrenching injury for the Cowboys, who moved up in the second round and traded their third-round pick to get the player they expect to be their future right defensive end. Jeremy Mincey had taken the majority of first-team reps at the position and continues to do so, but Lawrence was working his way in.
"It set me back a little physically, not being out there with the team," Lawrence said. "I know I'm going to have to be into my playbook and the weight room now. On the mental side, being into the playbook and learning all the plays and making sure I'm up to date so when I come back I have no problems." [embedded_ad]
Lawrence will be on crutches for the next couple weeks before going back to be reexamined by doctors Sept. 4. At this point, he's not sure how much time he'll miss.
It's unlikely the Cowboys will have Lawrence for the first few games, but it's possible he returns around the midway point of the year to give the Cowboys a pass-rushing spark.
"The surgery went well," Lawrence said. "I'm glad it happened now than later. Just going on a day to day basis with the treatment and getting that done so we can get back on the field."
