Skip to main content
Join

WATCH: Randy Gregory crushes Mac Jones, Cowboys recover fumble

by:Austin Brezina•10/17/21•

AustinBrezina59

Mike McCarthy provides injury updates on two key defenders Randy Gregory Neville Gallimore
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory got a clean rush to New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and delivered a crushing sack that knocked the ball loose. Gregory made the huge play after drawing a holding penalty that brought back a Patriots’ touchdown, causing issues for the Patriots’ offensive line.

Randy Gregory welcomes Mac Jones to NFL

Giving a quick move to right tackle Yodny Cajuste, Gregory got the edge rush before the Patriots could even form the pocket for Mac Jones to step into. As Jones faked a handoff and turned his eyes up the field, Gregory’s rushing path led him right to where Jones was standing.

Jones didn’t appear to see Gregory coming before he delivered a crushing hit to the rookie quarterback, popping the football loose. Gregory’s fellow defensive end Chauncey Golston recovered the fumble, the first turnover of the game for the Patriots.

The sack was Gregory’s third of the season and his first forced fumble, despite a fumble recovery of his own against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 1.

Cowboys injured players active on Sunday

The list of players that were limited in the Cowboys’ practice on Friday included Trevon Diggs, Ezekiel Elliott, Randy Gregory, Damontae Kazee, Tyron Smith, and Donavan Wilson. All of those players avoided the inactive list and were available for the Cowboys on Sunday.

Top 10

  1. 1

    AP Poll Shakeup

    Chaotic Saturday shakes up Top 25

  2. 2

    Mike Norvell

    $4.5M of salary going back to FSU

    Trending
  3. 3

    Commish shreds portal

    Marshall bowl opt-out spotlights issue

  4. 4

    Tom Brady

    Reaction to Bill Belichick to UNC

  5. 5

    Pop-Tart Bowl

    New trophy with functioning toaster

    Hot
View All

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

Diggs has been dealing with an injured ankle and is currently leading the NFL with six interceptions. Elliott has bruised ribs, but the injury isn’t bad enough to make him inactive on Sunday. He suffered the injury after landing on the pylon while diving for the end zone last week.

Elliott has had a tremendous start to the season despite a slow Week 1. In the Cowboys’ season opening loss to the Buccaneers, Elliott had just 33 yards rushing. But since then, he has seemingly found his form as an elite NFL running back yet again. Elliott has rushed for a touchdown in four consecutive games and has two straight games with at least 110 rushing yards. On the season, Elliott is averaging 5.3 yards per carry with 452 yards and five touchdowns on 85 attempts. He also had nine receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, the Cowboys waived offensive tackle Brandon Knight. The team also signed fullback Nick Ralston and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle to the active roster.

The Cowboys are 4-1 on the season and have won four games in a row. The Cowboys are surging on both sides of the ball, and have gained control of the NFC East.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this article.