Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams was carted off after suffering an injury during Sunday’s practice.
According to Patrik Walker of the Dallas Cowboys official team website, Williams suffered an injury during individual drills and had to be carted off. Walker said it was a non-contact injury and Williams grabbed his knee while in visible pain.
Non-contact injuries are always concerning in football, and it’s obviously worrisome that Williams was holding his knee while being carted off. Serious injuries like a torn ACL or a torn Achilles often occur in non-contact situations.
The 25-year-old Williams was drafted in the second round (56th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. He has become a valuable player on their defense, recording 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
#Cowboys DE Sam Williams suffers an injury during practice and is carted off the field.
You can see Jerry Jones checking in with him to make sure he’s okay. pic.twitter.com/HhGxTErofW
— Sam Gannon (@SamGannon87) July 28, 2024
Though Williams wasn’t a designated starter last season, he suited up for all 17 of the Cowboys’ regular season games. He tallied a career-high 4.5 sacks, helping Dallas finish with the No. 5 scoring defense in 2023.
Dallas lost two productive pass-rushers in Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong Jr., who both signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. With those two gone, Williams was set to enjoy an increased role on defense in 2024.
We’ll provide more details on Williams’ status when they become available. Here’s hoping he avoided a serious injury.
Dallas Cowboys Can’t Afford Losing Sam Williams
Dallas owner Jerry Jones has received widespread criticism for his surprisingly quiet offseason, despite promising in January that his team would go “all-in.” The Cowboys have lost a handful of key contributors on both sides of the ball, and Jones’ inactivity in free agency and the trade market strongly suggest he was banking on internal growth from players like Williams.
If Williams ends up missing significant time, Jones will have no choice but to find some veteran talent to fill the void.
