Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins sustained a high ankle sprain during the third quarter of the team’s 33-13 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, as confirmed by Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones. While Jones indicated that they do not believe the sprain to be severe, further assessment is pending to determine the extent of the injury.
The incident took place in the early stages of the second half when a D’Andre Swift six-yard gain resulted in several bodies falling on Hankins’ ankle, causing it to bend backward. The veteran lineman received attention from the Cowboys’ training staff on the field before leaving gingerly and did not return to the game.
Post-game, Hankins was observed walking out of the locker room without a walking boot and without any apparent limp. However, the potential absence of Hankins in upcoming games could pose a significant challenge for the Cowboys, given his valuable experience on the defensive interior line in both run defense and pass rushing. In his 11th NFL season, Hankins has contributed 26 tackles and three sacks across 13 games.
In Hankins’ absence, rookie first-round pick Mazi Smith and Neville Gallimore stepped in at defensive tackle, with Osa Odighizuwa also assuming an increased role in the second half. Smith and Gallimore may shoulder increased responsibilities in run defense if Hankins is sidelined.
Head coach Mike McCarthy is scheduled to provide further updates on Hankins’ condition during his press conference at 3:30 p.m. on Monday as the training staff continues their evaluation.
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