Dallas Cowboys likely to lose rookie linebacker for remainder of the season

Rookie linebacker Jabril Cox is likely to miss significant time for the Dallas Cowboys. Cox, a 2021 fourth round draft pick out of LSU, is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

“In a few hours, Cowboys LB Jabril Cox will undergo an MRI that is expected to confirm diagnosis of a right ACL tear, source said,” Gehlken tweeted Monday morning. “Full extent of damage not yet known, but rookie season is likely over for the fourth-round pick from LSU.”

Cox only has two tackles this season, but he has primarily played a role on special teams so far. He played one season at LSU last season after starting his collegiate career at North Dakota State. Last year with LSU, Cox started all ten games and finished third on the team with 58 tackles, also adding 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and one sack.

Cox was injured in the Cowboys win on Sunday night

The injury to Cox was suffered during punt coverage in the Cowboys’ Sunday Night Football victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Cox was carted to the locker room after going down. Dallas released linebacker Jaylon Smith last month, so losing Cox would be a huge hit to the team’s linebacker depth.

Cox has the talent to grow into a key contributor on defense for the Cowboys, so losing him midway through his rookie season is a tough pill to swallow. While at North Dakota State, Cox won three FCS National Championships and was a two-time FCS All-American. In his career at North Dakota State, Cox racked up 258 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. He was the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

The Cowboys are now 6-1 on the season and have a commanding lead in the NFC East division. Dallas will host the Broncos and Falcons over the next two weeks.