COWBOYS
Who is KJ Henry, the defensive end the Cowboys are signing?
The Dallas Cowboys have added two injuries to their list of defensive problems and are expected to sign defensive end KJ Henry as a potential solution.
The Cowboys are dealing with some serious problems on defense as they lost both edge rusher Micah Parsons (high-ankle sprain) and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (right foot sprain) to injuries during their Thursday night win over the New York Giants. Parsons could miss anywhere from two to four weeks and Lawrence has now officially been put on Injured Reserve and will miss at least four weeks, but could potentially miss up to eight weeks.
For a defense that was already dealing with the losses of defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. plus defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins in the offseason, lost DE Sam Williams to injury in training camp, and is currently struggling to stop the run, losing two of its top defenders is just about the worst-case scenario. That’s why they’re now getting ready to sign KJ Henry.
Who is KJ Henry?
Henry is currently a pass rusher on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, but he’s expected to sign with the Cowboys on a two-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
They are hoping Henry will bolster the squad which now consists of Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston, and Carl Lawson.
Henry was the Washington Commanders’ fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6′4″, 255-pound former Clemson standout finished his rookie season with 19 total tackles, four for a loss, two pass break ups, and 1.5 sacks plus nine pressures and six quarterback hits. During his time there, he played under current Cowboys’ defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina.
Henry ended up being one of the Commanders’ final roster cuts this preseason and was claimed off waivers by the Bengals, who cut him weeks later and re-signed him to the practice squad.
The Cowboys will add him to the active roster, where NFL rules state he must stay for a minimum of three weeks after being signed from another team’s practice squad.
Even before the losses of Parsons and Lawrence, the Cowboys gave up a combined 464 rushing yards to the Saints and Ravens in Weeks 2 and 3. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said they will not pursue a trade to replace either of them, so Henry will have his chance to prove he belongs on the active roster in the NFL as the Cowboys desperately look for help to limit opponents’ run game. They face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a primetime matchup on Sunday Night Football this Sunday, October 6. You can follow along with all the action with our live text coverage of the game, brought to you by yours truly right here on AS USA.