Cowboys DT Johnathan Hankins likely out for regular season
The Dallas Cowboys are losing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins for the rest of the regular season after suffering a pectoral strain during Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans. The injury will require him to miss about a month which takes him out until the playoffs.
The injury reverts Dallas’ depth chart to where it was before they traded for Hankins prior to Week 8. Osa Odighizuwa, Neville Gallimore, and Quinton Bohanna will see an uptick in snaps due to his injury.
Hankins arrived in Dallas via trade before the Week 8 game against the Chicago Bears. He has made three starts for the Cowboys and has 10 combined tackles. Many within the organization feel that even though the numbers do not jump off the page, Hankins has been an integral part of improving their subpar run defense. Hankins has played a significant role, especially in short-yardage situations clogging running lanes up the middle.
Hankins, 30, is in his 10th NFL season after being drafted in the second round by the New York Giants in the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Giants before heading to Indianapolis for one season. He then played for the Raiders, where he would spend almost five years before being traded to the Cowboys this year. Dallas received Hankins and a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick back in October.
Dallas could potentially feel Hankins’ absence immediately as they face three strong rushing attacks in a row. This week, they take on Travis Etienne and the Jaguars in Jacksonville. After that, they play Philadelphia at home with Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders, followed by the Titans in Tennessee with top-tier running back Derrick Henry. The Cowboys are hopeful they will get Hankins back in time for the playoffs.
