Dallas Cowboys LB Jabril Cox tore his ACL in his rookie season, and coach Mike McCarthy revealed before Tuesday's minicamp-opening workout that in his view, Cox's sophomore campaign isn't a true representation of what the LSU product can deliver.
"That first year back, there’s a first time getting through a number of thresholds they need to get over," McCarthy said. "I can only tell you based off what I see, I do feel like he is back."
And then a couple of hours later, Cox proved his coach right.
Dallas' second-teamers worked in a two-minute drill, simulating game conditions. On third down, Cox made the play on an end-zone pass, recording a pass defensed. Then came fourth-and-goal. ... and he did it again, another PBU that resulted in a vocal defense-wide celebration.
The glee was about two plays, of course. But maybe it was also about what Cox is overcoming.
In 2022, Cox played in nine games but logged just six tackles, coming up empty on tackles for loss, sacks and interceptions. He didn't quite reach the promise he showed in his rare rookie appearances before his injury. But the 25-year-old now has under his belt - in addition to a fantastic Tuesday practice - what McCarthy called "a really good offseason program.''
"Major joint injuries take time. I think you see it each year. They never really totally come back clean immediately," McCarthy said. "It’s usually the second year where they really feel back to normal.”
As if tearing an ACL in your rookie year is not tough enough in terms of making a climb, Cox is part of a Dallas linebacking corps where snaps will be tough to come by. In addition to the presence of "pass-rushing linebacker'' Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch is locked into a spot. And Damone Clark, another LSU youngster, is on the depth chart ahead of Cox. But when the opportunity for Cox to step up in 2023 is there, he must take it. And he did so on Day 1 of minicamp.
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