The Dallas Cowboys picked up a convincing victory in Week 14 over their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Sunday Night Football. The win improved their record to 10-3 on the season, putting them in first place in the division for the time being.
However, it wasn’t all positive for the Cowboys in the game. The win was nice, but it came at a cost. In the second half, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins needed to be carted off of the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury.
On a positive note, Hankins was able to return to the sidelines to watch the end of the game. However, the veteran defensive tackle has been diagnosed with a dreaded high-ankle sprain. The team’s executive vice president, Stephen Jones, provided the update on 105.3 The Fan, via the Cowboys website.
“He’s got a high ankle [sprain]. We don’t think that it’s going to be a severe one. He’s going to be getting further looked at in terms of exactly what we’re dealing with here. We’ll know more as the day goes by.”
NFL News & Rumors: Jonathan Hankins & Dallas Cowboys Updates
During the first possession of the second half, Eagles’ running back D’Andre Swift handled a carry. During the pileup, Hankins’ ankle got caught in the pileup and the injury ensued.
Hankins has been an integral part of the team’s defensive line rotation this season. He has appeared in all 13 games, playing 41 percent of the defensive snaps. On the season he has 26 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three quarterback hits.
Rookie Mazi Smith and Neville Gallimore are likely the first in line to see an uptick in playing time for however long Hankins is sidelined. Should the Cowboys need to make a roster move because of the injury, Carl Davis Jr. can be elevated from the practice squad.
Hankins was originally acquired by the Cowboys ahead of the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline from the Las Vegas Raiders. Dallas received him and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick in what was a shrewd move by the team’s front office.
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