After back-to-back defeats, the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) are eager to bounce back as they face the New York Giants (1-2) in an important divisional showdown on “Thursday Night Football.”
The past two weeks have been particularly challenging for the Cowboys, especially on defense. They allowed a staggering 44 points to the New Orleans Saints and another 28 to the Baltimore Ravens, both on home turf. But the matchup against the Giants brought a potentially bigger setback.
With just over 12 minutes left in the second quarter, star linebacker Micah Parsons sustained an injury while attempting a tackle. It appeared that a collision with one of his own teammates may have resulted in a blow to his head.
Micah Parsons banged up on this play #NFL pic.twitter.com/0Lsszfrb7H
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) September 27, 2024
The game officials quickly noticed Parsons’ unsteadiness following the hit, leading them to escort him off the field and to the Cowboys’ sideline for further evaluation.
According to a report by Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Parsons was taken into the blue medical tent, where he was examined for a potential concussion and neck injury.
Initially listed as questionable to return, the All-Pro linebacker made a swift comeback just a few minutes later.
Micah Parsons is headed to the tent 😔#DallasCowboys | #DALvsNYG pic.twitter.com/wm6yCSuPVz
— Cowboys Lead (@CowboysLead) September 27, 2024
Parsons has been the cornerstone of Dallas’ defense in recent years. Under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Cowboys boasted one of the league’s top defenses, largely due to Parsons’ standout performances.
However, under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the team has struggled to maintain that dominance. They currently rank among the worst in the league, allowing the most rushing yards per game and the third-highest points per game heading into Week 4.
So far this season, Parsons has only managed one sack in three games, putting him on track for a below-average season compared to his usual 13.5 sacks per year.
If the Cowboys hope to turn things around, they must adapt to Zimmer’s defensive strategies and shore up their vulnerabilities, especially in stopping the run. Additionally, keeping Parsons healthy and on the field will be critical to their success.