Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence Officially Activated From IR, Will Start Against Saints in ‘Thursday Night Football’

DeMarcus Lawrence is back, and he’s starving. The All-Pro defensive finish hasn’t come quickly since the regular season opener against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, broken foot in preparation for Week 2. Immediately placed on the injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair the wound, Lawrence assigned to return from IR last week and now that he’s fully trained, he’s officially activated Cowboys list – the team announced – and will start when they take over New Orleans Saints on “Thursday Night Football”.

His return is expected to provide a big boost to the Cowboys overtaking race that has been dominated by a rookie feeling Micah Parsons but also no right defense start service Randy Gregory. It also comes at a much-needed time for Dallas, who have lost three of their last four games and are desperately searching the right of the ship to keep their NFC East rivals far behind while still kept a noticeable distance from the 1st seed in NFC.

And with Gregory on his way to potentially returning in Week 14 against the Washington Soccer Team, along with starting his defensive handling Neville Gallimore – who was appointed back from IR this week – it won’t be long before the Cowboys are back as all-around as they’ve been defensively at any point this season. That’s impressive given the fact defensive coordinator Dan Quinn gave the unit a top 10 ranking in points allowed per game prior to their Week 12 loss to Las Vegas Raiders. With a burst of firepower like Lawrence now poised to kick off the crucial month of December, Quinn will likely take the Cowboys’ defense to an even higher level.

However, that mission begins in New Orleans, where Quinn is also handling the assignment as interim head coach after Mike McCarthy tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. In one game, the Cowboys not only returned Lawrence, but two stars received Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, the short Saints will have more hands.

That said, in a season that has proven anyone can lose to anyone, Lawrence needs to run to the ground to help lead the Cowboys to a game they feel they have to win. Lawrence’s bull’s eye will be drawn on Taysom Hill, who received the nod as a starter this week Trevor Siemian, as head coach Sean Payton assessed Hill’s ability to escape in the face of the recovering Cowboys’ passing fever.