Gerald McCoy’s first season in Dallas is over before it begins.
McCoy suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon in practice Monday and will miss the entire 2020 season, Cowboys executive vice-president Stephen Jones told reporters.
The initial fear was that McCoy suffered an ACL tear after a leg injury, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater reported. The ensuing MRI scan, however, revealed the quad ripped and McCoy will need end-of-season surgery.
McCoy appeared to have suffered the injury during individual drills and needed help off the pitch, according to Athletic’s Jon Machota.
McCoy has become a typical veteran mercenary over the past year or so after his nine-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended unceremoniously in 2019. The defensive tackle stayed in the NFC South last season signing with Carolina Panthers, registering 37 tackles and five sacks in her only season in Charlotte. Thanks to a youth movement under a new regime in Carolina, McCoy has moved southwest in search of a new gig after 2019.
The search for a job took him to Dallas, where McCoy, 32, signed a three-year contract to replace Maliek Collins on the defensive line. The former third overall pick in the 2010 Draft has appeared in at least 13 games in all but one of his 10 NFL seasons, and is expected to be a reliable starter up front with the ability to put pressure on the quarterback. back while registering a tackle for loss here and there.
With off-season mate Dontari Poe (quadriceps) landing on the list physically unable to play to start camp, Dallas’ remade defensive interior is missing its new pieces. Another former Oklahoma Sooner alumnus, rookie Neville Gallimore, is in line behind Antwaun Woods and Trysten Hill to receive representatives in place of the two veterans. Jones also mentioned newly signed Everson Griffen pointing out the Cowboys’ depth to the position despite losing McCoy.
“That’s why you need to have a full roster,” Jones said on the team’s official website. “Obviously, why are you hiring a guy like Everson Griffen. You never know when things like this are going to happen. It’s definitely disappointing. First and foremost, we’re disappointed for Gerald. ‘He was excited to be here. But also, it’s disappointing for us. He’s been one of our major acquisitions here in the offseason and in free agency. But that said, it will give Trysten Hill and Gallimore the opportunity to really step up now. Two young players that we will have to face for ourselves. “
Poe is expected to return as soon as possible, but with McCoy’s injury ending his 2020 season, the Cowboys are already expected to look into Plan B ahead of time with less than a month to go. the regular season.
