Eatman: D-Line Depth Getting Tested With Mincey, Gregory Ruled Out vs. Falcons

[boozeman]

D-Line Depth Getting Tested With Mincey, Gregory Ruled Out vs. Falcons


Friday, September 25, 2015 2:08 PM CDT


By Nick Eatman


DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

@nickeatman


IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys’ defensive line took another major hit on Friday when the club officially ruled out defensive end Jeremy Mincey for Sunday’s game with the Falcons.

Mincey, who missed practice the last two days with what was initially diagnosed as illness, apparently suffered a concussion and will not be ready to face Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Atlanta’s offense.

Mincey’s injury is the latest blow to a D-line unit that already lost valuable backup Terrell McClain this week. The veteran defensive tackle went to injured reserve this week with a toe injury and will be lost for the season. McClain’s spot on the roster was used to sign a third quarterback in Matt Cassel so the Cowboys are currently thin across the entire line.

At end, DeMarcus Lawrence could move to Mincey’s spot on the right side but it’s likely Jack Crawford could start opposite of Lawrence, while rookie Ryan Russell could make his NFL debut. Russell is actually on the injury report as well with a groin injury but was listed as probable to play. The Cowboys might also turn to outside linebacker Kyle Wilber in pass-rushing situations.

Rookie Randy Gregory has been ruled out for a second straight week with a high-ankle sprain.

At tackle, Tyrone Crawford and Nick Hayden should start again with Ken Bishop and Davon Coleman likely to get some snaps. Crawford’s experience to play end might be utilized this week.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Well now we know why the kept all of those D-line.

Not having Mincey is gonna hurt but I am interested to see what Russel and Coleman will do with the playing time.

 

[boozeman]

Well now we know why the kept all of those D-line.

Not having Mincey is gonna hurt but I am interested to see what Russel and Coleman will do with the playing time.

They kept a lot of defensive tackles. Not much relation here.

But it is clear they wanted to rotate a lot of guys.

 

[Jiggyfly]

They kept a lot of defensive tackles. Not much relation here.

But it is clear they wanted to rotate a lot of guys.

I was talking about losing McClain as well.

 

[boozeman]

I was talking about losing McClain as well.

They did not bother to account for Gregory being out, thinking well either of the Crawfords could fill in. I think Lavar Edwards is back on the market. I would consider signing him and suiting him up, but it is not like we can cut someone to do that, thanks to carrying three QBs.

 

[Jiggyfly]

They did not bother to account for Gregory being out, thinking well either of the Crawfords could fill in. I think Lavar Edwards is back on the market. I would consider signing him and suiting him up, but it is not like we can cut someone to do that, thanks to carrying three QBs.

Yeah I actually forgot about Gregory.

Yeah this roster has minimum wiggle room, but Whitehead could be a spot to use, especially since Butler is getting run.

I think he would be around or somebody like him.

 

[boozeman]

Yeah I actually forgot about Gregory.

Yeah this roster has minimum wiggle room, but Whitehead could be a spot to use, especially since Butler is getting run.

I think he would be around or somebody like him.

Since Gregory is out until after the bye per Goof Son, it is going to get harder and harder to field a full squad every week.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Since Gregory is out until after the bye per Goof Son, it is going to get harder and harder to field a full squad every week.

Yikes.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Jesus H. Christ on a crutch.

 

[GShock]

That sucks about Mincey.

 

[townsend]

I think we send Moore back to the practice squad once Cassel is up to speed. We should cut Whitehead too.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I think we send Moore back to the practice squad once Cassel is up to speed. We should cut Whitehead too.

Does that assume Weedin will be eventually be cut at some point? What happens when Romo returns? I think Moore will go back to the PC. The question will then be who is retained between Cassell and Weedin.

 

[townsend]

Does that assume Weedin will be eventually be cut at some point? What happens when Romo returns? I think Moore will go back to the PC. The question will then be who is retained between Cassell and Weedin.

I think that depends on how Weeden performs. If Cassel has to step in I'd say Weeden is done in Dallas.. Frankly our #4 RB (McFadden probably) should be cut soon too.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I have to say the amount of depth we've accumulated on this team is remarkable. We're missing something like 9 or 10 significant contributors and are still presumably fielding a competitive team.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I think that depends on how Weeden performs. If Cassel has to step in I'd say Weeden is done in Dallas.. Frankly our #4 RB (McFadden probably) should be cut soon too.

I'm leaning that way on McFadden but I am not convinced yet that Cassell is an improvement over Weeden. Weeden's destiny is in his own hands. He will have to fold for Cassell to even get an opportunity to stay. He isn't going to sit still for a PC spot..

 

[L.T. Fan]

I have to say the amount of depth we've accumulated on this team is remarkable. We're missing something like 9 or 10 significant contributors and are still presumably fielding a competitive team.

A testament to the personnel manager.

 

[Genghis Khan]

A testament to the personnel manager.

Stephen Jones has done very well.

 

[boozeman]

Stephen Jones has done very well.

I would say more McClay than Goof Son. He is the numbers guy.

 

[BipolarFuk]

They have to do ANYTHING to keep McClay.

Hell, I'd give him a percentage of the team. Here's 3% to stay as long as you don't have to have some stupid fucking title that Jerry has to have.

 

[townsend]

They have to do ANYTHING to keep McClay.

Hell, I'd give him a percentage of the team. Here's 3% to stay as long as you don't have to have some stupid fucking title that Jerry has to have.

That'd essentially be handing him 120 million dollars.