Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox returns to practice after brief absence

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox was back at practice on Saturday afternoon, just a few days after getting some rest and rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee for a few days after it was dinged up. Cox was wearing a brace on the knee and didn’t have one on it at the start of training camp, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Gehlken posted a brief video of Cox running through a drill at practice on Saturday.

Last season, he injured his right knee during punt coverage against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 31. The knee injury ended up being a torn ACL and he needed surgery to repair it. Since the Cowboys released Jaylon Smith last year, Cox saw an increase in snaps. He was selected by Dallas in the fourth round (No. 115 overall pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Jabril Cox LSU stats

He is listed at 6-4, 231 pounds, and was a graduate transfer who originally played at North Dakota State before he ended up at LSU for one season in 2020. During his one season in Baton Rouge, Cox racked up 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and three interceptions.

He demonstrated top-notch pass coverage skills while at LSU, tallying two pass breakups against Florida and three pass breakups against Texas A&M. In his last game for the Tigers, he racked up seven tackles and returned an interception 14-yards against Ole Miss.

North Dakota State stats

While at North Dakota State, Cox simply dominated. His team went a combined 45-1 during his three years there, winning three FCS National Championships. The talented linebacker was twice named to the FCS All-America (2018 and 2019) team. The Missouri native racked up 258 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks during his time at the FCS powerhouse.

Cox was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. He also finished fourth in the Buck Buchanan Award voting that season–which is the award presented to the top defensive player in the FCS.