Mike McCarthy says safety Donovan Wilson 'close' ahead of Week 1 vs Giants

As promised, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy provided an update on injured starting safety Donovan Wilson on Monday as the team kicked off prep for Week 1 against the New York Giants. Though he said the former Aggie is “getting better” and is “close,” he wasn’t ready to label him officially for Sunday’s game.

“Getting better, had a good workout Friday,” McCarthy said during his press conference. “I’m not ready to put a status on him but he’s close.”

Suffering a calf strain on Day 1 of training camp this offseason, Wilson had a four-to-six-week recovery timeline. He’s completing workouts but the fact that he hasn’t begun practicing full-go with the team suggests he’s out for Sunday versus the Giants.

Dan Quinn’s defense would be without one of its leading tacklers and leaders if Wilson can’t play in Week 1. Without him, the Cowboys would rely on Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu, as well as Markquese Bell, to pick up the slack opposite Jayron Kearse.

He led the team in tackles in 2022 with 101, a career-high for the Cowboys safety. He also had five sacks, two forced fumbles, a recovery and one interception. During Dallas’s postseason run, Wilson had an additional 20 tackles, including a tackle for loss.

Wilson signed a three-year deal worth up to $24 million before he was due to hit the free agent market this offseason.

Drafted in the sixth round in 2019 out of Texas A&M, Wilson was previously playing on a four-year, $2.65 million rookie deal.

After finishing third on the defense in tackles in 2020, Wilson had shoulder and groin injuries. He missed eight games in 2021 due to injury.

Cowboys activate cornerback Jourdan Lewis off PUP

The Cowboys activated cornerback Jourdan Lewis off of the physically unable to perform list ahead of the deadline on Tuesday. Off of PUP, Lewis is now eligible to practice with the team, when he’s cleared.

The former Michigan standout suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot to end the 2022 season so started training camp on the PUP list.

A former third-round pick out of Michigan, Lewis has started 30 of the 37 games he appeared in over the past three seasons. He posted career highs with three interceptions, 11 passes defended and 61 tackles in 2021 to go along with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Last season, he had 26 tackles, with one sack, and one interception.

Defensive coordinator Quinn couldn’t be more excited to get Lewis back in action.

“We’re so excited, because for those of you that don’t know Jourdan, he is an absolute warrior,” Quinn said this month, via DallasCowboys.com. “He’s one of our very best competitors for those of you that have been around him and watched him play. It’s no surprise that a person like that attacked his rehab portion like he did, because this is a really serious injury that Jourdan had.

“I’m not surprised going through the offseason, early in the mornings seeing him in the weight rooms and doing his stuff. It’ll be a really cool moment when he’s able to get back on the field with these guys. Every single person in that locker room knows he is a true warrior and he’s a true part of that in a big way.”