With training camp set to begin Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys have placed cornerback Jourdan Lewis on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the team announced. Additionally, rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker was put on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
The move to put Lewis on the PUP list was expected after he suffered Lisfranc injury in Week 7 of this past season. He just recently started running again in the past few weeks. The Cowboys can activate Lewis from the PUP list at any time during training camp and the preseason. If he is not activated by the start of the regular season, the team would have to wait until after Week 4.
A former third-round pick out of Michigan, Lewis was a started 30 of the 37 games he appeared in over the past three seasons. He posted career highs with three interceptions, 11 passes defended and 61 tackles in 2021 to go along with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Schoonmaker, whom the Cowboys selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has been dealing with a foot injury he suffered in college. The same rules that apply to the PUP list also apply to the NFI list, though it is expected that Schoonmaker will be available to start the season.
Also a Michigan product, the tight end had his best season in 2022 to finish with 35 catches for 418 yards and three touchdowns while helping the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship. He will battle with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot for reps.
Cowboys clear Tony Pollard, Terence Steele for start of training camp
It wasn’t all bad news for the Cowboys, as running back Tony Pollard and right tackle Terence Steele have been cleared and will be available for the start of training camp.
Pollard suffered a broken fibula in Dallas’ playoff loss to San Francisco in January. He finished as the team’s leading rusher this past season with 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. With Ezekiel Elliott being released this offseason, more touches could be coming Pollard’s way. The Cowboys failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract with him, but kept him on the roster by using the franchise tag.
Steele was battling his way back from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered in Week 14. He worked in a limited capacity off to the side at OTAs, but will be a full-go when the team starts training camp Wednesday.
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