Cowboys Rumors: Sam Williams' Knee Injury Diagnosed as Torn ACL; DE Carted Off Field

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams had to leave Sunday's training camp practice on a cart after suffering what appeared to be a leg injury of some kind, per multiple reports.

After undergoing further testing, an MRI confirmed Williams tore his ACL, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He will miss the entire 2024 season.

Williams, 25, has posted 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits in 32 games across his first two NFL seasons.

He was potentially in line for a bigger role this offseason after Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler departed in free agency. The Cowboys have excellent pass-rushers in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence but not a lot of established depth behind them, opening the door for Williams to see a bigger role in 2024.

"We think a lot of him, and he needs to step up," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters regarding Williams in April.

If he suffered a significant injury, however, that opportunity may be delayed.

Behind Williams, the Cowboys have unproven young players like Viliami Fehoko and Marshawn Kneeland. Neither has taken a snap in their NFL careers, and neither has the pass-rushing upside that Williams brought to the table.

There's also Chauncey Golston, Tyrus Wheat and Durrell Johnson. That trio has combined for a career total of 3.5 sacks, all from Golston. A Williams injury, in other words, would be devastating for the Dallas depth chart.

That would likely have the Cowboys to seek out an option in free agency. For a front office currently dealing with needed extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott, wideout CeeDee Lamb and potentially Parsons, shopping on the market isn't exactly a desirable position for these Cowboys.