Cowboys reportedly suffer a major injury early in training camp

Just minutes into the Dallas Cowboys’ first workout with pads at training camp, they were dealt a devastating blow to their newly re-formed defensive line when tackle Gerald McCoy suffered a ruptured quad tendon that will reportedly force him to miss the entire 2020 season.

Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said McCoy will undergo surgery to repair the damage. The injury happened as McCoy participated in individual drills and, after falling to the ground, had to be helped off the field. Dallas signed McCoy to a three-year deal this off-season to replace Maliek Collins, who left the team via free agency. McCoy was on his third team in three years, having spent the first nine years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year he played for the Carolina Panthers and piled up five sacks and 37 tackles.

The 32-year-old was expected to help form a solid rotation along the defensive line with fellow off-season free agent signee Dontari Poe. However, Poe was recently played on the physically unable to perform list due to a quadriceps injury of his own, although he is expected to return soon. The team signed veteran edge rusher Everson Griffen last week, a move aimed at softening the departure of Robert Quinn.

Without McCoy in the mix, Dallas will be forced to rely on a couple younger players to fill the void, with Antwaun Woods, second year man Trysten Hill, and rookie third round pick Neville Gallimore working with Poe once the veteran returns from injury.

Last year the Eagles dealt with their own injury at defensive tackle when Malik Jackson went down, an injury that drastically affected what Jim Schwartz wanted to do on defense. It remains to be seen how the absence of Collins will affect Mike Nolan’s defensive schemes in 2020. Nevertheless, a huge loss for the Eagles’ chief rival in the NFC East.