Mike McCarthy expecting big jump from Jabril Cox in second season following injury

Dallas Cowboys third-year linebacker Jabril Cox became one of the highlights from the team’s mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday after breaking up two passes in the red zone.

Last season, Cox was a bit of an after-thought in a room led by Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch. He missed eight games while recovering from a torn ACL the previous season and upon his return, notched six tackles in three games while playing almost exclusively on special teams.

Asked about the expectations for Cox in 2023, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said he feels like “he is back.”

“When you have players that have a major injury, that first year back, it’s the first time they’re getting through a number of things,” McCarthy said. “I feel like he is back. He’s had a really good offseason program but yeah, major joint injuries take time. Some guys never totally come back immediately, it’s usually the second year.”

The final drive of the first #Cowboys minicamp practice was owned by:

Jabril Cox.

He had two consecutive PBUs to prevent TDs in the red zone. 🔥

He was then swarmed by his teammates in celebration (the plays were that good, yes).

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) June 6, 2023

In 2021, 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.

Dallas nabbed him in the fourth round (No. 115 overall pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in seven games, tallying two tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the middle of the season.

In college, Cox was a graduate transfer who originally played at North Dakota State before landing at LSU for one season. In Baton Rouge in 2020, Cox racked up 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and three interceptions.

Cox finally ‘back’ for Cowboys linebackers

For 2023, the Dallas Cowboys welcome back roughly the same group of linebackers from last year after re-signing Vander Esch in free agency. They did part ways with Luke Gifford, however. He signed a two-year deal with the Titans after playing in 16 games with 17 tackles last season.

The Cowboys also added a new face to the room, third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown.

Mike McCarthy didn’t address whether Cox would have an increased role on the defense this season, but the door is open for him to receive more opportunities. If he continues to perform like he did on the first day of minicamp, the Cowboys will have to get him on the field more this season.