Cowboys vs. Jets: Breece Hall and Carl Lawson Injury Update

New York Jets defensive end Carl Lawson's return makes the Dallas Cowboys' job a little more difficult in Week 2.

The Dallas Cowboys’ 40-0 win over the New York Giants let the league know that this defense was back with a vengeance. In one of the most dominant defensive performances of recent memory, Dallas totaled seven sacks and 36 pressures.

Heading into Week 2, the Cowboys can lick their chops again. The New York Jets will visit on Sunday without future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Instead, third-year passer Zach Wilson and a suspect offensive line will try and take down perhaps the league’s best defense.

Rushing the passer won’t just be important to Dallas’ success. Pressuring Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott enough to keep the offense off-schedule and prone to turnovers feels like the only way New York can keep Sunday competitive.

Luckily for them, veteran defensive end Carl Lawson will be making his 2023 debut on Sunday. He was inactive for the Jets’ 22-16 win on Monday, citing the short week and Lawson’s back as reasons for caution.

“Anticipating him being back this week,” head coach Robert Saleh said on Wednesday. “With it being a short week … didn’t think it’d be a good idea to practice him, play a game, short week, play another game with the amount of time he’d had off. This will be Week 1 for him.”

Just as Dallas has its injury issues (Brandin Cooks is now on the list), the Jets have concerns. Running back Breece Hall (knee), right tackle Mekhi Becton (knee) and left tackle Duane Brown (shoulder) were all limited in Wednesday's work.

Meanwhile, Lawson projects to start on a potentially game-wrecking defensive line. New York boasts a superstar in defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, two other first-round picks in edge rushers Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, defensive end John Franklin-Myers, and other quality depth pieces.

They are talented, deep, and hungry to stop the sky from falling in the wake of Rodgers’ injury.

On Monday, they sacked Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen five times and played a role in forcing four turnovers. With Lawson back in the fold, the Jets’ pass rush poses the biggest threat to the Cowboys, especially with guard Tyler Smith still banged up.

In Week 1, Dallas had the privilege of a totally negated Giants pass rush. They’re set for a tougher challenge on Sunday.