Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said linebacker Demarcus Lawrence underwent back surgery during the offseason and will open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
It was the third back surgery of Lawrence’s career, but McCarthy said Thursday it was no reason for alarm bells.
“It’s more of a cleanup, so there’s no high concern,” McCarthy said. “He looks great. It’s probably more us than him as far as the timeline of him coming back.”
Lawrence is coming off a 2020 campaign in which he recorded 58 tackles, 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles for Dallas, all improvements over his 2019 numbers. In his seven-year NFL career spent entirely with the Cowboys, Lawrence has recorded 300 tackles, 93 quarterback hits, 45.5 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and one interception.
Lawrence signed a five-year extension in 2019 worth $105 million.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (ankle surgery) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (back surgery) are also on the PUP list to open camp as the Cowboys began workouts Thursday in Oxnard, Calif.
