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Cowboys Facing Replacement Decision After Donovan Ezeiruaku Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Debayan Biswas | Last updated Mar 2, 2026 10:03 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys are reshaping their defense this spring. But one of their promising young players won’t be around to help with the transition.

Second-year pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku underwent hip labrum surgery and is expected to miss most of the offseason program. Reports indicate the team expects him back by training camp in late July. Still, the timing adds uncertainty for a unit already transitioning to new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s 3-4 scheme.

Ezeiruaku, a 2025 second-round pick out of Boston College, played in all 17 games as a rookie and started nine. He finished with 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. He also generated 26 quarterback pressures.

Per sources, Cowboys LB Donovan Ezeiruaku possibly out to training camp following hip surgery. Does this increase Dallas Cowboys need for edge rusher in camp and free agent
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 2, 2026

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said at the NFL combine that Ezeiruaku will move to outside linebacker in Parker’s system. The role demands versatility.

“These outside linebackers for us, the first thing that they’re gonna do is number one, set the edge of the running game. Number two, they’re gonna affect the damn quarterback. And then occasionally, they’ll drop,” Schottenheimer said. “You want to see with guys like that … when they drop, are they comfortable? Do they have movement skills? … All those answers for him are very, very positive.”

The Cowboys believe the 6-foot-2, 248-pound defender fits that mold. In college, Ezeiruaku led Division I with 16.5 sacks in his final season with the Boston College Eagles and earned All-American honors. His size raised predraft questions about his ability to convert speed to power, but his production was undeniable.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (41) leaves the field after being ejected during the third quarter against the New York Giants.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The real challenge now is his development without getting full-speed reps.

Dallas is thin at the position. Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams and Payton Turner are free agents. James Houston is the only other returning pass rusher from last year’s 53-man roster. The Cowboys are expected to pursue edge help in both free agency and the draft.

The organization has expressed confidence in a second-year jump. “I feel really, really good about Eze and what he’s capable of,” Schottenheimer said.

But with a new scheme and roster turnover underway, the Cowboys may not be able to wait. If Ezeiruaku’s recovery lingers or the position change takes time, Dallas could be positioning itself to add another edge defender before the season begins.

Training camp will offer clarity. For now, the Cowboys are balancing patience with preparation as they build around a promising but still-developing pass rusher.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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