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Dallas Cowboys: 4 injured players from ’17 who must stay healthy

By Reid Hanson

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Allen Hurns #88 of the Jacksonville Jaguars catches a pass in the third quarter defended by Kevin Johnson #30 of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Allen Hurns #88 of the Jacksonville Jaguars catches a pass in the third quarter defended by Kevin Johnson #30 of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Games missed in 2017: 5

Sean Lee’s importance was on display once again last season. With Sean Lee in the lineup, the Dallas Cowboys were a formidable defense capable of winning in the postseason. Without him they were ground up into hamburger. Against the run alone we saw opponents average nearly twice as many rushing yards per attempt (and per game) with Sean Lee absent from the field.

The trickle-down effect was significant. Bigger bodies needed to be cycled into the middle of the line, leaving more dynamic options on the bench. Drives were sustained and the Cowboys defense was gassed.

For those of us who watched Amazon’s All or Nothing, we saw the presidential-level role Sean Lee plays on the entire defense. He lined the defense up, read the offense, and called the plays. The film room rate was a coach on the field and off. And when he was kept off the field, his replacements showed little ability to pick up the slack – neither mentally nor physically.

Like offensive tackle, the Cowboys addressed the position in the offseason. After letting Anthony Hitchens leave on a startling large free agent contract, the Dallas Cowboys invested their first round pick in Leighton Vander Esch. Together with the organic development of Jaylon Smith, LB appears to be one of the stronger positions on the roster.

In training camp it appears LVE is every bit as good as we were hoping he’d be. And Jaylon seems to have taken a significant step in his development. Even Joe Thomas looks like starter quality depth. But we can’t let the talent and potential cause us to overlook the leadership and intelligence Lee provides.

As the proven commodity and leader of the clubhouse, Sean Lee is arguably the MOST important player on the defense heading into the 2018 season (ok, maybe Tank and his guaranteed double-digit sacks take the top spot but after him it’s Lee).

Sean Lee has a significant history of injuries so it’s tough to see him making through a 16 game season in 2018, but the fact remains he’s one of the most irreplaceable players in this roster. For another year at least.

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