Cowboys’ upgraded secondary will provide challenge for Jets QB — whoever it may be
Jets #Jets
FRISCO — A highly anticipated rematch against Aaron Rodgers is likely off.
The four-time MVP quarterback suffered what the New York Jets announced as an ankle injury Monday evening after he exited their opening drive. He needed assistance to reach the sideline. Following an initial evaluation inside a medical tent, he was carted to the locker room.
X-rays were negative.
Rodgers, 39, did not return.
Cowboys
Related:Aaron Rodgers carted from sideline after suffering ankle injury in first series for Jets
More specifics about the injury’s nature, including whether his left Achilles tendon was affected, were not immediately known. Like viewers at home, Cowboys coaches watched the situation unfold on television, having just settled into their live scouting review of their upcoming Sunday opponent.
Clarity should come by no later than Tuesday afternoon following an expected MRI. Considering the injury’s apparent significance and with the Jets being on a short week, there seems a high likelihood Zach Wilson will be the starter.
In one respect, it may not matter too much.
Whoever is at quarterback will stand behind what appeared Monday to be a highly suspect offensive line. He will operate under the silent count inside a raucous AT&T Stadium against a Cowboys front that is coming off a seven-sack performance in a 40-0 shelling of the New York Giants. Rodgers was injured when sacked on his second dropback.
According to the Cowboys’ internal review, coach Mike McCarthy said Monday afternoon the defense generated pressure on 75% of the Giants’ dropbacks.
“That’s a huge win in that area,” McCarthy said. “That’s the highest one I’ve ever been a part of. It was obviously a big part of setting the tempo. You could definitely see this building the last three years and definitely felt it throughout training camp.”
The Cowboys last faced Rodgers in 2022 on a freezing November afternoon in Green Bay, Wisc.
He exposed a Dallas secondary without two of its top three cornerbacks to begin the season. Nickel Jourdan Lewis already was out for the year with a nasty foot injury. Anthony Brown then suffered a second-quarter concussion.
Mental errors arose between inexperienced Cowboys fill-ins. Trailing 28-14 in the fourth quarter, the Packers scored 17 points unanswered in a comeback win they completed in overtime.
But Rodgers has not faced this Cowboys defense.
The cornerback situation is much improved with Stephon Gilmore, acquired in March trade, now opposite Trevon Diggs. It is difficult to overstate the upgrade he offers to Kelvin Joseph, whom the Cowboys traded last month to the Miami Dolphins. Joseph played 41 defensive snaps at Lambeau Field.
Gilmore was sensational Sunday in his team debut, intercepting Daniel Jones and recording two pass breakups. He allowed three catches for 20 yards when targeted eight times in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
Related:Is Cowboys’ defense really as good as it looked vs. Giants? Early returns say yes
“Stephon looked like that at practice every day,” McCarthy said afterward. “He’s an incredible route reader, just the pattern of concepts and understanding of the stems. The way he sees the game is exceptional. I look back at (Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback) Charles Woodson and some of those guys that had that special trait, and he definitely has that.”
DaRon Bland is also more seasoned in the nickel; he intercepted Jones and returned the pick for a touchdown after Diggs dislodged a would-be catch from running back Saquon Barkley. Meanwhile, Lewis is nearing his 2023 debut.
Rodgers was seen walking at MetLife Stadium while wearing a protective boot.
He probably won’t face this Cowboys defense after all.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.