The Dallas Cowboys have been hit with some key injuries to start the 2021 NFL season. DeMarcus Lawrence is the latest player to be sidelined, and it could be a couple of months before he’s able to return.

A broken foot that Lawrence suffered in practice Wednesday will keep the defensive end off the field indefinitely. According to ESPN, Lawrence is expected to miss between six and eight weeks.

It’s a significant loss for the Cowboys, who can use all the help they can get on defense. Dallas was defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-29 in the season opener, despite Dak Prescott throwing for 403 yards and the offense moving the football with ease.

Lawrence, who had five tackles in the loss, is perhaps the best player on Dallas' subpar defense. A two-time Pro-Bowl selection, Lawrence has 36.5 sacks since 2017. The 29-year-old had 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles last season.

The Cowboys visit the 1-0 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday with a roster already experiencing depth issues.

Dallas will be without wide receiver Michael Gallup. He will miss at least three weeks with a calf injury. Gallup had four catches for 36 yards in the opener.

Guard Zack Martin missed Week 1 with COVID-19. Martin has been activated from the virus list, but starting right tackle La’el Collins has been suspended five games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Pass rusher Randy Gregory was been placed on the COVID-19 list this week.

The Cowboys are a game behind the Philadelphia Eagles, who were the only NFC East team to win in Week 1.

Demarcus Lawrence Dallas Cowboys
Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus