After last Sunday’s game against the Texans, injuries are taking their toll on the Cowboys’ roster. The cowboy team suffered the loss of some key players that day, including defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. His diagnosis and time out were announced on Tuesday, and the news is not positive for Dallas.
Specifically, Hankins suffered a pectoral injury against Houston last Sunday. Due to this injury, the defensive lineman will miss the remainder of the regular season at a minimum. This was stated by Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Cowboys, during a radio interview on Tuesday.
“You could see Johnathan back for the playoffs”Jones said of Hankins on 105.3 The Fan. “He won’t be back before then.”
Cowboys NT Johnathan Hankins is out for remainder of regular season, team owner Jerry Jones told @1053thefan. “You can see Johnathan back for the playoffs. He won’t be back before then.” Hankins suffered a pectoral strain Sunday vs. Texans.
—Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 13, 2022
Arriving in Dallas via trade in late October, Johnathan Hankins is part of the team’s efforts to bolster its run defense. Since his incorporation, the former Raiders player has started three games, apart from the fact that he has been a rotation piece in short-yardage situations.
Because of this injury, the Cowboys placed Hankins on the team’s injured reserve Wednesday. This implies, at least, a four-week drop. Likewise, offensive tackle Terence Steele was also included on that list, but he will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury last Sunday.
The #Cowboys have moved both Terence Steele (knee) and Johnathan Hankins (pec/shoulder) to injured reserve.
Steele will not return this season.
Hankins has a chance at returning for the playoffs, but must now sit the final four regular season games.
—Patrick [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) December 14, 2022
The Cowboys already have a substitute for Hankins
With Johnathan Hankins out, the Cowboys were in need of a defensive tackle to slow down the running game. This, in large part, considering the offensive that their remaining rivals have in the regular season. Because of this, the cowboy team wasted no time in finding a replacement for Hankins.
This Wednesday, Dallas made the addition of defensive tackle 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 team this Tuesday, and joined training this Wednesday.
The @dallascowboys signed DT Anthony Rush to the practice squad Wednesday. The club also released LB Malik Jefferson from the practice squad.
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 14, 2022
Mammoth nose tackle Anthony Rush, who was waived off the Eagles practice squad Dec. 6, appears to have joined the Cowboys to help make up for the loss of Jonathan Hankins. Rush has been 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. Among them, the Eagles (twice), Packers, Seahawks, Titans and Falcons. His best numbers date from his 2021 season in Atlanta, in which he recorded 19 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, one slam on the quarterback and one forced fumble. All this in ten games, six of them as a starter.
However, Rush hasn’t 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 Dec. 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 have added this week. Let’s remember that, last Monday, the Cowboys signed receiver TY Hilton in a surprise move. To this is added the arrival via waivers this Wednesday from cornerback Trayvon Mullen, who was recently released by the Cardinals.
As we can see, the Cowboys are making an effort to reinforce the positions affected by the recent losses. This, of course, despite the few options available between free agency and players in the system of waivers. It’s not the ideal scenario, but Dallas needs all the help it can get. After all, the cowboy team is one step away from the playoffs, which implies a new attempt to return to a conference final at least.
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Johnathan Hankins will be out until the playoffs, but Dallas has already found