FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence will not need surgery because of a Lisfranc injury to his right foot since the bones are not displaced, but he is looking at a four- to eight-week absence as he recovers, sources told ESPN.
Lawrence suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Cowboys’ Thursday win against the New York Giants and did not return. He was chasing down Giants quarterback Daniel Jones when he planted heavily on his right foot. He initially tried to stay in the game but went to the sideline for medical attention.
The injury is not as severe as the one that threatened the career of cornerback Jourdan Lewis two years ago, but Lawrence is likely going to be placed on injured reserve, which would keep him out for at least four games.
Lawrence is looking at a potential return in November. On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy said the expectation was that Lawrence and edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is dealing with a high left ankle sprain, will play again this season, although he acknowledged Lawrence’s injury is the worse of the two.
Parsons suffered his injury in the fourth quarter against the Giants. He could need two to four weeks to recover. The Cowboys play the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions the next two weeks before their Oct. 20 bye. That is followed by an Oct. 27 trip to the San Francisco 49ers.
In 2021, Lawrence, who is in the final year of his contract, missed 10 games with a broken foot but returned to action for the final six regular-season games and the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The Cowboys have elevated defensive end Carl Lawson from the practice squad for the past two games but could add him to their 53-man roster. Rookie Marshawn Kneeland and Chauncey Golston took over for Lawrence and Parsons against New York, but the team will also look to add a defensive end to the active roster or practice squad.