The Dallas Cowboys are starting off training camp with a big injury. The team is already entering a crucial 2013-14 season, important for several people's job security and already they take a big hit. While participating in the first day of training camp, defensive end Tyrone Crawford has gone down with a season-ending Achilles tendon tear.
According to multiple team reports, Crawford banged his fist to the ground while receiving medical attention and was then carted off. This injury comes just after defensive tackle Ray Ratliff suffered a strained hamstring during a team conditioning test on Sunday. He will have an MRI done on the tendon but is likely to remain on the physically unable to perform list until officially cleared to play. So, with two weeks until the Hall of Fame game, the Cowboys are in whole depth wise.
Crawford was a third-round pick in 2012 and has primarily served in a backup role on the thin defensive line. He played in all 16 games last season, recording 20 total tackles. He was expected to compete with Anthony Spencer this season as a starter. He outweighs him by 20 pounds, making him a tempting option. Now, the Cowboys will have to look towards possibly signing a free agent with Crawford out for the season.
At this moment, the best pass rusher available is John Abraham who was released by the Atlanta Falcons at the start of the offseason. Abraham has been an interesting free agent. His contract demands are high despite the lack of interest surrounding he and the other veterans. The only other player like him to sign this offseason was Dwight Freeney and even he only got offered a deal due to another player getting injured.
Abraham can still be an absolute force on a defensive line, especially one so thin in depth as the Cowboy's line is. He is still a sack specialist; the only question is how much he will demand. Abraham has been adamant about still being a starter for a team instead of just a third-down pass rusher. He also wants to continue to get paid like a starter. The Cowboys are not going to dive deep in their pockets to give Abraham anything bigger than a one-year contract, likely similar to Freeney's deal.
The other option for Dallas is Richard Seymour. The defensive end has taken a similar role to Abraham after getting released by the Oakland Raiders. He wants money and a starting spot. Both players will come at a high cost for the Cowboys, but the team might have no other option.
