A former New York Jets defensive end, will join the Dallas Cowboys, a source told ESPN.
He is the Cowboys’ second defensive line addition in two days, following Wednesday’s trade with the New York Giants for defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.
Carl Lawson worked out for the Cowboys in Oxnard, California, after the team lost pass rusher Sam Williams to a broken ACL during one of the early training camp workouts, but Dallas instead signed Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney. Toney has since been waived/injured for a groin issue.
The 29-year-old Lawson was touted as a huge acquisition to the Jets in 2021 when he signed a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency, but he fell short of expectations, appearing in only 23 games over three seasons.
He missed the 2021 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon during a preseason session with the Green Bay Packers. The injury necessitated more surgery a few months later, but Lawson returned in 2022 and played the entire season, finishing with seven sacks.
The 2023 campaign was a flop. Lawson missed the majority of the preseason due to a back issue and lost his starting position to second-year defensive end Jermaine Johnson. By the time he was fit enough to play, Lawson had been demoted to spot duty on the defensive line, which frustrated him.
He was a healthy scratch for 11 games and turned down media requests late in the season. “I’m a football player, not a cheerleader,” he declared in midseason. Lawson participated in only six games, played 101 snaps, and had zero sacks and five tackles.
Lawson was regarded as a competent pass rusher during his four-year tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals (20 sacks), but he struggled to remain on the field. He missed 13 of 64 games, the majority of which came in 2018, when he had knee surgery.
He began his career in Cincinnati, where he played for Cowboys run game coordinator Paul Guenther.
The Cowboys’ signing of Lawson was first reported by the NFL Network.
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