Mike McCarthy updates Johnathan Hankins' availability for Week 15 vs. Buffalo

The Dallas Cowboys bring a 10-3 record into their matchup against the Buffalo Bills this week. As they begin to pursue some separation from the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, however, they’ll have to do so without starting defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. Head coach Mike McCarthy revealed on Wednesday that Hankins, who suffered an ankle sprain against the Eagles, is “hard-pressed” to play this weekend against the 7-6 Bills in Buffalo.

“Johnathan will be hard-pressed to go this week,” McCarthy shared, via DallasCowboys.com.

Hankins joined Dallas last October in a trade with Las Vegas that sent a Cowboys’ 2023 sixth-round pick to the Raiders, and a 2024 seventh-round pick back to Dallas. The veteran out of Ohio State came in to bolster the Cowboys’ already stout defensive line group.

He played in several games, then tore a pectoral muscle, but made his return in time for the playoffs. He finished the year with five postseason tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss, as well as 10 tackles in five regular season games. After the end of the playoff run, Dallas signed the tackle to a new one-year deal for $1.5 million.

So far this season, Hankins, now in his 11th season, has 26 tackles with three sacks. The last time he had three sacks in a single season was in 2016 for the Giants.

Cowboys turn to rookie DT amid Hankins injury

The Cowboys defense is ranked fourth this season in points allowed per game (17.9), trailing only San Francisco, Baltimore and Kansas City. In run defense, Dallas is 13th, allowing 106 rushing yards per game.

To make up for what the Cowboys defense will lose against the Bills run game, McCarthy plans to insert first-round draft pick Mazi Smith. The rookie has 10 tackles through 13 games, including a tackle for loss.

Another option would be to elevate defensive tackle Carl Davis from the practice squad for the Week 15 matchup. Davis signed with the practice squad in late November, and now, he has the opportunity to help Dallas get through a tough stretch to end the season.

“I think both guys are good, young players,” McCarthy said. “Mazi keeps getting better with every opportunity. You can just see the confidence and the understanding [improving], and this is all normal for rookies. He’s not thinking about the calls, and so forth. And Carl is doing a really good job since he’s been here, it’s a big opportunity for both of these guys.”

The Cowboys travel to Buffalo for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. FOX has the Sunday afternoon broadcast.