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Why isn’t Johnathan Hankins playing for the Cowboys against the Lions?

Dallas Cowboys will miss some players on defense against the Lions. However, the player whose absence will be felt the most is Johnathan Hankins.

Update:
Dallas Cowboys will miss some players on defense against the Lions. However, the player whose absence will be felt the most is Johnathan Hankins.
RICHARD RODRIGUEZAFP

In a Saturday night showdown, on the last weekend of the year, the Dallas Cowboys will welcome the NFC North champion Detroit Lions to their home turf. The Lions, riding high on back-to-back wins, displayed their strengths on both ends of the field this season.

The Lions aim for the second seed and have been performing exceptionally well offensively, scoring over 30 points in consecutive games. Their ground game is solid, thanks to the efforts of rushers such as David Montgomery and Jir Gibbs. Montgomery’s 55-yard touchdown, where he went untouched, is a great example of the Lions’ dominance on the ground.

The defense of the Cowboys is known for being tough against passing attacks, but it has been facing some questions regarding its run defense. It allowed 4.1 yards per carry to running backs in 2023, which is a cause for concern. Last week, the defense struggled against Tua Tagovailoa and conceded over 290 passing yards, highlighting a potential vulnerability.

In this scenario, the Lions, led by quarterback Jared Goff, are looking to exploit these defensive gaps. Goff had an impressive game with minimal pressure and over 250 passing yards in the last match. He poses a significant challenge to the Cowboys’ defense.

Cowboys defensive tackle Hankins still injured: when will he return?

According to a report by Jon Machota on The Athletic, Johnathan Hankins, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive tackle, has been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Detroit Lions due to an ankle injury. This means that the Lions’ offense may have an advantage in exploiting this gap in the Cowboys’ defense.

Hankins has been dealing with this injury since Week 14 when he sustained it during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, he has not been able to play since then and may not return soon as he has not been able to practice this week.

Before his injury, Hankins had been performing well as a pass rusher, having recorded three sacks in the two games before he was sidelined. Therefore, the Cowboys may feel his absence and rely on other players to step up.

While this is undoubtedly a setback for the Cowboys, how much of an impact it will have on the game’s outcome remains to be seen. The Lions will certainly be looking to seize any opportunities they can find, but the Cowboys’ defense is still formidable even without Hankins.