The Dallas Cowboys defense will miss two safeties from the two-deep depth chart for the coming weeks. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Donovan Wilson and Israel Mukuamu both suffered multi-week injuries on Wednesday, which was the first day of training camp.
Wilson suffered a calf strain on his right leg that could put him out 4-6 weeks. Meanwhile, Mukuamu reportedly pulled a hamstring.
“I think both are multiple-week injuries,” McCarthy said. “When you get into the specifics of both of the injuries, we’ll probably have a better idea on Monday.
“You never want to see anyone have an injury but this is how training camp has always gone. Our young corners and young safeties will get work. The ability to get reps with the first group is very beneficial.”
While Wilson led the Cowboys defense in tackles in 2022, Mukuamu worked as a backup behind Jayron Kearse. He racked up 17 tackles and an interception in 15 games played. The interception was the first of his career for the former South Carolina sixth-rounder.
With the safeties out for the foreseeable future, third-year safety Markquese Bell will get more reps, as well as Tyler Coyle and Juanyeh Thomas.
Despite an early exit from camp, both defensive backs were hard at work this summer to be in shape, according to McCarthy.
“Both these men were voted for the workout awards, that speaks volumes,” McCarthy said. “They put a lot of time in at the facility during the five weeks off. The injuries are personal. You know they’ve done the work.”
Two start Cowboys camp on PUP/NFI list
The Dallas Cowboys placed cornerback Jourdan Lewis on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start camp. Additionally, rookie tight end Luke Schoonmaker is 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 activate 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 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 plantar fasciitis. McCarthy told reporters that he hopes the tight end can participate during camp at some point.
Also a Michigan product, the tight end had his best season in 2022 finishing 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.
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