‘Could Be A Few Weeks’: Dallas Cowboys’ Malachi Lawrence Faces Ankle Absence As Caleb Downs, P.J. Locke Enter Concussion Protocol

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that rookie outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence could miss a few weeks with an ankle injury, and that defensive backs Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke are both in the concussion protocol after Sunday’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Tight end Jake Ferguson and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are dealing with ankle injuries.

Schottenheimer said after the game that Downs was in the protocol and that the team would see what came with Locke. Downs was ruled out with 8:18 left in the fourth quarter, and Locke was hurt on a 3-yard Tyler Allgeier run during Arizona’s game-winning drive in overtime.

“Yeah, both Caleb and PJ are in the protocol right now,” Schottenheimer said. “Fergie’s got an ankle, Joey Porter has an ankle, and then Malachi has one that might be a little bit longer.”

Malachi Lawrence’s Ankle Injury ‘A Little Different’ Than Other Dallas Cowboys Injuries

Dallas took Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick in April, 12 picks after it drafted Downs at No. 11. Lawrence played 37 snaps against Arizona and has 13 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 passes defensed this season. Schottenheimer said the team will keep testing the ankle and that Lawrence’s situation is different from the others.

“Yeah, I don’t know. I just think it looks like it could be a few weeks,” Schottenheimer explained. “So again, just keep doing some more testing, see how he moves around, but a little different than the other guys.”

Downs has played 509 defensive snaps, 92% of the Cowboys’ total, with 52 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, and 2 forced fumbles. Locke had just returned from injured reserve after missing five games with a foot injury. Schottenheimer said the league will look at the block on Downs, and he laid out how he understands the rule.

“If you block somebody and they basically fall not on their side, if they fall like that, it’s a block in the back,” Schottenheimer said. “So we’ll see what the officials say when they look at it.”

Jake Ferguson, Joey Porter Jr. Await Ankle Results

Ferguson hurt his ankle early Sunday and did not return. His exams Monday came back positive, according to Schottenheimer, who said Ferguson might practice later in the week.

“Yeah, Fergie actually we think came out okay,” Schottenheimer said. “We’ll see how he moves around. It might be later in the week that he goes, but we feel he tried to come back and just didn’t have the strength to do it. But we feel like the results of the exams today were positive.”

At one point Sunday, Porter threw his helmet in frustration over the ankle while he was in and out of the lineup. Dallas acquired the cornerback from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1. Schottenheimer said Porter is trying to play through it while he gets tests done.

“Yeah, he’s trying to battle through it,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s getting a bunch of tests done, things like that, and we’re hopeful. But as a competitor, you understand why there would be frustration.”

“This week will be a big week for him to see how close he is,” Schottenheimer added.

Dallas visits the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX.