Dallas Cowboys Face Defensive Setback with Sam Williams Injury

OXNARD, Calif. – The Dallas Cowboys' defense took a significant hit before their first padded practice of training camp, as pass rusher Sam Williams suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. According to sources, Williams was unable to put weight on his leg and was carted off the field after receiving medical attention. Following the incident, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed concern, stating, "We didn't like what we saw," as Williams was scheduled for an MRI. Williams, who was drafted in the second round in 2022 from Ole Miss, has shown promise in his first two NFL seasons, recording 8.5 sacks. Last season, he ranked third on the team with 4.5 sacks, despite participating in only 28.3% of defensive snaps. His injury comes at a challenging time for the Cowboys, who have already seen key defensive players, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., depart in free agency to join former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn with the Washington Commanders. Head coach Mike McCarthy had previously praised Williams for his impressive physicality and maturity, highlighting his strong start to the training camp. The loss of Williams could impact the Cowboys' defensive strategy as they prepare for the upcoming season, raising questions about how they will fill the void left by his absence. As the team awaits further medical evaluations, the Cowboys will need to adjust their defensive lineup and strategies to mitigate the impact of this injury on their season aspirations.