Dallas Cowboys DT Johnathan Hankins was injured in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Update: According to NFL Network, Hankins’ initial diagnosis is a high ankle sprain. Although he will undergo an MRI, the injury does not seem severe. Expectations is that the veteran player will return for the playoffs, but maybe even sooner.
According to a report from the Dallas Morning News, Hankins was able to stand and walk to the sidelines with assistance before getting evaluated by the team’s medical staff. However, the 31-year-old was carted off the sidelines and was listed as questionable to return to the game.
The Dallas Cowboys Radio Network reported that the medical staff removed Hankins’ right shoe, possibly indicating that he could be dealing with an ankle or foot injury.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Hankins returned to the Cowboys’ sideline under his own power.
In his absence, rookie DT Mazi Smith will take the snaps. But if Hankins is out for the long term, this could be an issue for the Cowboys’ run defense, which has recently started to progress.
Johnathan Hankins’ Impact
Hankins is an 11-year veteran who has spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
So far this season he has 26 total tackles, three sacks, 2.5 run stuffs, and two pass deflections.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Dan Quinn gave Hankins and DeMarcus Lawrence credit for the run defense’s improvement.
“It’s been nice to have more than a calendar year with him because now I’ve got to find out all the special and unique things he brings to the team,” Quinn said.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
