Mike McCarthy reveals groin injuries for Luke Schoonmaker, Israel Mukuamu

The Dallas Cowboys have several players nursing injuries ahead of their first preseason game, including Luke Schoonmaker and Israel Mukuamu. Schoonmaker, going into his second year, has dealt with a variety of injuries since the team took him in the second round, including a foot and a shoulder injury, which required surgery this summer. He is now nursing a groin injury.

Mukuamu also has a groin injury, which is more severe than his teammates, according to Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on Monday. His recovery time is expected to be longer, putting his status for the start of the regular season in question. Mukuamu has provided some great backup reps at safety for Dallas over the last two seasons. He played in 15 games in 2022 and in 2023, he played in 14, tallying six tackles with a fumble recovery.

The sooner Mukuamu can make his way back to the field, the better for his chances to make the 53-man. The team has Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, and Juanyeh Thomas healthy at safety right now, with Markquese Bell also able to slot in as well.

Another groin injury struck on Monday. Running back Royce Freeman left practice early due to the injury, according to Clarence Hill.

Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks is dealing with a back injury, according to McCarthy, however, he returned to the practice field on Monday after the team’s day off. Rookie tackle Tyler Guyton was not able to work with the team on Monday, but he did work off to the side as he works his way back from an illness that forced him to miss two days last week.

The team signed two new players last week after hosting four for workouts. Defensive ends Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney inked after Sam Williams tore his ACL, ruling him out for the season.

Dallas Cowboys loses Sam Williams to ACL tear

The Cowboys have had only a few injuries through two weeks of training camp, none worse than Sam Williams‘. An MRI confirmed that the Cowboys defensive end tore his ACL and partially tore his MCL during practice last Sunday.

Williams was gearing up for his third season with the Cowboys, who selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. He has suited up in 32 games over the past two seasons, tallying 8.5 sacks, 48 tackles (30 solo), 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

Williams went down with an apparent left knee injury and had to be carted off the field. He sustained the injury while taking part in a special teams drill.