Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence agreed to a new three-year deal with $30 million fully guaranteed on Monday. With the deal, Lawrence becomes the first defensive end in NFL history to have seven straight seasons of his contract fully guaranteed. The 29-year-old pass-rusher had back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in 2017 and 2018 with double-digit sack campaigns, but he hasn't been all that productive since with 14.5 sacks in the last three seasons combined. Lawrence only played in seven games in 2021 due to injury and had 21 tackles (16 solo), five tackles for loss, seven QB hits, one interception, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three sacks. Lawrence could bounce back as he stays in Dallas, but he's no longer a must-have in IDP formats.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence turned down a pay cut, but ESPN's Ed Werder quoted a team source by saying, "DeMarcus Lawrence isn't going anywhere." Lawrence will make $19 million in base salary this year and is scheduled to count $27 million against the salary cap, which is the fifth-highest cap number in the NFL at his position. If he's a post-June 1 cut, the Cowboys would save $19 million against the cap with $8 million in dead money. The 29-year-old pass-rusher was a Pro Bowler in 2017 and 2018 when he combined for 25 sacks, but he has not been the same player since. Lawrence has a total of 14.5 sacks, 33 QB hits and 26 tackles for loss in 39 games over the last three seasons, and he played in only seven games in 2021 due to a broken foot.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence reportedly declined to take a pay cut after he was asked by the team. The Cowboys are currently way over the salary cap entering the 2022 season, and Lawrence played in only seven games in 2021 due to a foot injury. The 29-year-old had 21 tackles (16 solo), five tackles for loss, seven QB hits, one interception for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and three sacks. Lawrence hasn't had a double-digit sack season since 2018, and the Cowboys are torn on whether to keep him around. If Dallas designates him as a post-June 1 cut, they'd save $19 million against the salary cap.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) has been activated from Injured Reserve, as expected, and will be available on Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints. Lawrence has missed the last 10 games due to a foot fracture that he suffered in the season opener, so it's unrealistic to expect him to play a large number of defensive snaps in his first game back in Week 13. Still, the 29-year-old pass-rusher's return is a huge boost to the Cowboys defense down the stretch, and he could cause some problems for Saints quarterback Taysom Hill, who is making his first start of the season Thursday night. Lawrence had 6.5 sacks and 58 tackles (34 solo) in 16 games for the Cowboys and should pair nicely with first-round sensation Micah Parsons.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a fractured foot in Week 2. The pass-rusher won't play in the Thanksgiving game on Thursday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but there's a chance he could return in Week 13 to face the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys now have 21 days to activate Lawrence from Injured Reserve. The combination of a healthy Lawrence with rookie sensation Micah Parsons will strike fear in opposing offenses and make the Dallas D more attractive from a fantasy standpoint. Even without Lawrence this week, the Cowboys defense is a top-10 fantasy unit against a struggling Raiders squad.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) has made progress to on-field rehab work with the athletic training staff, and head coach Mike McCarthy said "he looks real good." Lawrence remains on Injured Reserve and hasn't returned to practice with the team, but this is a positive development as he looks to get back on the field this year. The 29-year-old pass-rusher doesn't have a timetable to return, but a much-improved Dallas defense would receive a huge boost from the return of Lawrence if/when he is activated from IR. Lawrence had four solo tackles and a forced fumble in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before going down with an injury.
DeMarcus Lawrence Out Around Two Months With Broken Foot
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) broke his foot in practice on Wednesday and will miss around the next two months. The team's best pass-rusher broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot and will require surgery. If all goes well with the surgery and rehab, Lawrence could be back at some point in November. This is a big blow for the Cowboys defense and for fantasy managers that were relying on Lawrence in IDP leagues. Even if Lawrence hadn't broken his foot and was available for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Dallas defense/special teams wouldn't be in play in fantasy after allowing Tom Brady to throw for 379 yards and four touchdowns in the Week 1 season-opener. Things just got a little easier for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who will be a strong QB1 this weekend.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (knee) hasn't practiced this week and is up in the air for Week 4 against the Browns, but head coach Mike McCarthy said he "anticipates" the pass-rusher playing on Sunday. Lawrence has just eight combined tackles, one pass defensed and no sacks through the first three games of the 2020 season. Dallas will need him to start stepping up if they want to slow down opposing offenses, but that may not happen if he's playing at less than 100 percent health. Even if Lawrence suits up this weekend against Cleveland, we'd suggest looking elsewhere for your starting defensive lineman in IDP leagues.
Cowboys Defense Should Have DeMarcus Lawrence In Week 3
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (knee) is expected to suit up for Sunday's Week 3 contest with the Seattle Seahawks. Lawrence hasn't done a lot in 2020, and while he's a disruptive pass rusher when he's at his best, his impact is likely to be pretty minimal this week based on how his season's began. The Cowboys Defense remains unplayable in all formats -- unless you really want to make a big punt play in a GPP -- because they're facing the extremely dangerous Seattle Seahawks offense.
Cowboys Sign DeMarcus Lawrence To Voidable Extension
The Dallas Cowboys signed defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a one-year voidable extension on Friday for salary cap purposes, converting $15 million of his 2020 base salary into a signing bonus and clearing $12 million in cap space this year, according to a source. Lawrence is already under contract through the 2023 season. Dallas plans to roll the extra cap space created into next season as they attempt to lock quarterback Dak Prescott into a long-term deal. The Cowboys had $17 million in cap space before freeing up the additional $12 million. The 28-year-old will be a starting defensive lineman in IDP leagues for the Sunday night showdown with the Rams.
