The Dallas Cowboys unfortunately have learned the hard way that the return of training camp typically marks the return of the league-wide injury epidemic. Football by nature is a violent contact sport, but some of the most devastating injuries are of the non-contact variety.
Look no further than third-year defensive end Sam Williams, who suffered a torn ACL last week during individual drills. Williams’ knee buckled as he went to plant before executing his move. It was very much a freak injury, much like the one Trevon Diggs suffered last September in practice.
The Cowboys have been fortunate to avoid any further serious injuries. However, multiple players have gotten dinged up since the start of camp. The list includes linebacker Eric Kendricks, tight end Luke Schoonmaker, running back Deuce Vaughn and DB Israel Mukuamu.
The likes of RB Royce Freeman and wideout Jalen Brooks exited Monday’s practice with apparent injuries, though Brooks quickly returned to the field. Amidst a growing list of injury concerns, the Cowboys actually got good news on that front as sixth-round darling Ryan Flournoy was in pads for the first time.
Ryan Flournoy is in pads for the first time at training camp #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/nCp6fcEqYg
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) August 5, 2024
Cowboys rookie WR Ryan Flournoy returns to training camp following knee injury
Flournoy suffered a knee injury on day two of camp and missed the last week of practice. It wasn’t feared to be a significant injury, but the particulars weren’t disclosed by the team. That is always a cause for alarm, so Cowboys fans were understandably worried how long Flournoy would be on the shelf.
The Cowboys’ sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Flournoy’s return comes at a perfect time. He got injured right before the pads came on, so he is behind the eight ball in a tightly-contested wide receiver competition.
In Flournoy’s stead, Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks have asserted themselves as the favorites to claim the WR3 and WR4 roles. More concerning for Flournoy, though, is that Tyron Billy-Johnson has made a strong case for a roster spot. Even 2023 undrafted free agents Jalen Cropper and David Durden have made the msot of their opportunities in camp.
Flournoy’s draft status will give him an edge over Billy-Johnson, Cropper and Druden during the roster crunch, but he has to prove he’s worthy of a spot on the 53.
The 24-year-old practiced with the second-team offense on Tuesday, but he was back making plays for backup QB Cooper Rush after he showed flashes of “Dez Bryant” during minicamp in which he overwhelmed Dallas’ defensive backs with his speed, strength and leaping ability.
Flournoy was widely considered a roster luck just a month ago. We still like his odds to make the team, but with myriad WRs showing out in Oxnard he needs to prove he’s healthy and that his performance in spring workouts wasn’t a fluke.
