In need of pass-rush help, the Dallas Cowboys are signing former Auburn standout Carl Lawson, the NFL team’s official website reported on Thursday.
Lawson has been an unrestricted free agent since March 13. He joins Dallas to provide depth behind defensive ends Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams, a former Lee-Montgomery standout, tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee at practice on July 28.
Lawson worked out for Dallas after Williams’ injury. Dallas signed Shaka Toney instead, but the Cowboys placed Toney on injured reserve on Thursday after he sustained a groin injury in Dallas’ preseason opener.
Lawson became a forgotten player with the New York Jets in 2023. After starting every game for the Jets in 2022, Lawson played in only six games in 2023. With the emergence of 2022 first-round draft pick Jermaine Johnson and former St. Paul’s Episcopal standout Bryce Huff, Lawson played only 101 defensive snaps and did not record a sack or a quarterback hit last season.