New Cowboys defensive end Robert Quinn breaks hand in practice
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Robert Quinn fractured his hand in practice Tuesday.
Quinn needs surgery but is expected to be ready for the Sept. 8 season opener, executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters. Jones said Quinn would leave the team in Oxnard, California, and undergo the surgery in Dallas.
He sustained the fracture in a one-on-one lineman drill against Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith.
In March, the Cowboys traded for Quinn after Randy Gregory received his fourth suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Quinn is expected to start at right end opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, who’s tallied 25 sacks over the last two seasons and earned Pro Bowl berths in each. With defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Antwaun Woods returning, the Cowboys have proven defensive line starters and solid depth behind them. Dallas liked Quinn when it traded for him. Through the eight practices (six padded) before he fractured his hand, he exceeded their expectations.
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“You get a really good rusher in like that, coming off that right end and it helps [Collins], man,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “He’s got the ability, him and [Tyrone Crawford] can both rush that side really well ... causing some issues. And he’s tough in the run game. He’s tough. This guy’s a tough rusher, he’s not just some finesse rusher.
“He’s a bad guy.”
Quinn will be the third Cowboys defensive lineman missing practices for injury. Lawrence and Crawford, another potential starter at end, began training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Lawrence is rehabbing offseason shoulder surgery and Crawford, hip surgery. Each is expected to be ready for the opener.
Quinn chose the Cowboys over the Saints when Miami gave him an option in the trade. He’s playing on a one-year deal worth $8 million. Quinn has recorded 69 sacks in eight career seasons highlighted by three consecutive double-digit campaigns in 2012-14. But the Cowboys also laud his run defense.
“He’s really going to be a good defender against the run, like [Lawrence],” Marinelli reiterated. “Lizards over there. Racing lizards who can play the run.”
Follow Paste BN Sports' Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.
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