Latest Cowboys' injury news makes dull free agency approach even more baffling

The Dallas Cowboys' dull start to free agency isn't anything fans aren't used to. Despite it being the most valuable franchise in sports, they're not really that much into spending cash on free agent signings.

This is obviously frustrating for Cowboys Nation, specially this time of the year when many other teams (including division rivals) seem to be getting better with additions of their own. 

One of the most frustrating free agent decisions thus far for the Cowboys has been letting Johnathan Hankins walk out the door to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. While Tyron Smith, Tony Pollard, and Stephon Gilmore (pending) might be perceived as bigger losses, the fact that Hankins' deal was worth only $2.05 million means Dallas really didn't want to spend on a veteran nose tackle whose absence was highly noticeable and costly when he missed games in 2023. 

In other words, they turned their backs on a solid starter that best case scenario would've been benched by Mazi Smith while providing very significant depth at a position of need. 

Speaking of Mazi, here's the kicker: On Tuesday at the owner meetings, head coach Mike McCarthy revealed the second-year player underwent offseason surgery on his shoulder. Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken reported it carried a four to six month timetable for rehab. Smith is expected to be ready for training camp in late July but it's baffling that the Cowboys still refused to prioritize taking care of the Hankins deal.

As of right now, it's just so hard to understand what the Cowboys' thinking is ahead of the 2024 season. Are they really just getting ready to blow it all up? Or are they sitting somewhere in the middle knowing they're about to spend a lot of money in extensions and thus they're holding on to their cash a little bit tighter (using the salary cap as an excuse)?

Additionally, Luke Schoonmaker also underwent offseason surgery and is also expected to be ready to go for camp.