The Dallas Cowboys are planning to bring cornerback Jourdan Lewis off of the physically unable to perform list ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, according to Josina Anderson. Off of PUP, Lewis would move to the active 53-man roster, making him eligible to start the season with the team, when he’s cleared.
The former Michigan standout suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot to end the 2022 season so started camp on the PUP list.
A former third-round pick out of Michigan, Lewis has 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. Last season, he had 26 tackles, with one sack, and one interception.
Defensive coordinator Quinn couldn’t be more excited to get Lewis back in action.
“We’re so excited, because for those of you that don’t know Jourdan, he is an absolute warrior,” Quinn said this month, via DallasCowboys.com. “He’s one of our very best competitors for those of you that have been around him and watched him play. It’s no surprise that a person like that attacked his rehab portion like he did, because this is a really serious injury that Jourdan had.
“I’m not surprised going through the offseason, early in the mornings seeing him in the weight rooms and doing his stuff. It’ll be a really cool moment when he’s able to get back on the field with these guys. Every single person in that locker room knows he is a true warrior and he’s a true part of that in a big way.”
Cowboys lose Josh Ball for ‘multiple weeks’
Coach Mike McCarthy shared on Monday that the team believes offensive lineman Josh Ball suffered a “significant” injury versus the Raiders this weekend.
His injury, currently unspecified, could either make the Cowboys’ upcoming roster decision easier or harder. McCarthy said they expect Ball to miss “multiple” weeks.
The NFL’s roster deadline to cut the list down from 90 to 53 men is on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Dallas could keep Ball on the 53-man roster until Wednesday, and then move him to the Injured Reserve where he’d have to stay for the first four weeks. Or, the team could put him on IR before the deadline, effectively ending his 2023 season.
Another option is to release him entirely, which will be the fate of 21 others this week. After the cut from 90 to 53 men, teams can put another 16 players on the practice squad.
Ball, a fourth-round selection out of Marshall in 2021, has swapped from interior to tackle roles to help the Cowboys achieve their ideal positional flexibility this preseason.
Dallas begins the 2023 regular season with a road game versus the New York Giants on Sept. 10. The team went 1-2 during the preseason with a win versus Las Vegas and losses against Seattle and Jacksonville.
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