Jabril Cox started minicamp showing the type of player many thought the fourth-round pick could be before a torn ACL changed the direction of his current career.
The Cowboys selected Cox in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft; in week eight of his rookie season against the Vikings, he suffered a torn ACL.
As he recovered, he played nine games in 2022, only mustering six tackles.
We saw how hard it was for Michael Gallup to adjust last season after he returned from the same injury. It just takes a bit.
Mike McCarthy echoed that when asked about Cox on Tuesday.
“When you have players that have a major injury, that first year back, it’s the first time they’re getting through a number of things,” McCarthy said.
“Major joint injuries take time. Some guys never totally come back immediately, it’s usually the second year,” he added.
Mind over matter.
The linebacker spot for Dallas has Leighton Vander Esch, Damone Clark, and Micah Parsons when he isn’t on edge rushing the passer.
Cox has the chance to make his case, and on day one of the minicamp Tuesday, he started well.
On consecutive downs, Cox made plays that resulted in a celebration; you love to see it after battle back from that torn ACL.
During two-minute work, he broke up a pass to set up fourth and goal.
On the next play, Cox broke up another pass from Cooper Rush in the endzone to win the game.
Reporters for the Cowboys say the rest of the team crowded Cox in celebration.
It is a VERY small sample size. Nonetheless, great news for a player who could have a breakout-type season. Doing so would put an already dominant defense on another level.
Cox has probably the best raw coverage skills of any linebacker on the roster right now. He has that type of talent. Something the Cowboys linebackers struggle with when LVE is on the field.
If Dallas gets decent to good year from him, it fills the one need from that spot. Being able to cover an offensive player in open space from the linebacker position.
Even a solid 15-20 snaps a game would be nice.
Let me put it this way, I am hoping for a breakout-type year from Cox, but not expecting it.
As mentioned, this is a small sample size, but this should be a confidence booster for him.
McCarthy did not specifically say that Cox would see a more prominent role in 2023, but they need someone behind LVE and Clark who you can trust.
If he consistently does what he did on the first day of minicamp Tuesday, this conversation can be brought up closer to September.
The bull is their to be taken by it’s horns. Look out for DeMarvion Overshown if Cox doesn’t impress from here on out.
A lot of time from now until Week one against the Giants. Let’s hope the team avoids any major injuries, and can keep the good news pouring out of camps.