After Sunday’s game against the Texans, injuries are taking their toll on the Cowboys roster. The Cowboys team suffered the loss of a few key players that day, including defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. His diagnosis and time out were released on Tuesday and the news is not good for Dallas.
Notably, Hankins suffered a pectoral injury against Houston last Sunday. Due to this injury, the defensive lineman will miss at least the rest of the regular season. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said so during a radio interview on Tuesday.
“You could see Johnathan come back for the playoffs”Jones said about Hankins on 105.3 The Fan. “He won’t be back before then.”
Cowboys NT Jonathan Hankins is out for the remainder of the regular season, team owner Jerry Jones said @1053ilfan. “You can see Johnathan coming back for the playoffs. He won’t be back before then. Hankins suffered a pectoral strain Sunday against the Texans.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 13, 2022
Joining Dallas via trade in late October, Johnathan Hankins is part of the team’s efforts to bolster his rushing defense. Since he joined, the former Raiders player has started three games, as well as being a rotation player in close quarters situations.
Due to this injury, the Cowboys placed Hankins on the team’s injured reserve on Wednesday. This implies, at least, a four-week decline. Likewise, offensive tackle Terence Steele was also included in that list, but he will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury on Sunday.
The #Cowboys moved both Terence Steele (knee) and Johnathan Hankins (pec/shoulder) to injured reserve.
Steele will not return this season.
Hankins has a chance to return for the playoffs, but now has to play the final four games of the regular season.
—Patrick [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 14, 2022
The Cowboys already have a replacement for Hankins
With Johnathan Hankins out, the Cowboys needed a defensive tackle to slow down the running game. This, in large part, considering the offense the remaining rivals have in the regular season. Because of this, the cowboy team wasted no time finding a replacement for Hankins.
This Wednesday, Dallas made the addition of defensive forward Anthony Rush official. Cut by the Eagles last week, Rush signed with the Cowboys’ practice squad. It is worth mentioning that Rush had a test with the squad this Tuesday and joined training this Wednesday.
The @dallasscowboys Wednesday signed DT Anthony Rush to the practice squad. The club also released LB Malik Jefferson from the practice squad.
— Dallas Cowboys PR (@DallasCowboysPR) December 14, 2022
Mammoth nose tackle Anthony Rush, who was fired from the Eagles’ practice squad on Dec. 6, appears to have joined the Cowboys to help make up for the loss of Jonathan Hankins. Rush was listed as 6-5, 350 or 6-4, 360. Needed run stuffer to pair with Quinton Bohanna pic.twitter.com/Xk0x5g6Kxo
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 14, 2022
Since arriving in the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted rookie, Rush has gone through seven different teams. These include the Eagles (twice), Packers, Seahawks, Titans and Falcons. His best numbers come from his 2021 season in Atlanta, in which he recorded 19 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback slam and one forced fumble. All this in ten games, six of which as a starter.
However, Rush has not found stability in 2022. After four games, the Falcons released the tackle in October. Then, in late November, the Eagles added him to their practice squad, waiving him on December 6. Now, the Cowboys become his third team so far this season.
Anthony Rush forces the FUMBLE 👀
📺: FOX | @CantBeBlocked25 pic.twitter.com/pxLRMSbGJi
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 28, 2021
It’s worth mentioning that Anthony Rush is one of three players the Cowboys added this week. Recall that, on Monday, the Cowboys signed receiver TY Hilton in a surprise move. Added to this is the arrival via waivers this Wednesday by cornerback Trayvon Mullen, recently released by the Cardinals.
As you can see, the Cowboys are making an effort to strengthen the positions affected by the recent losses. This, of course, despite the few options available between free agency and players in the system waivers. It’s not the ideal scenario, but Dallas needs all the help it can get. After all, the Cowboys team is one step away from the playoffs, which implies a new attempt to return to at least one conference finals.
