The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for life without starting defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, according to a report.
Hankins, who signed a two-year contract with the team in 2018, has been a stalwart on the Cowboys defensive line since his arrival. He has started in all 16 regular season games for the Cowboys since joining the team, and his absence will be felt throughout the defensive unit.
The Cowboys have been preparing for life without Hankins since the start of the offseason. The team has signed defensive tackles Christian Covington and Gerald McCoy, who both have the ability to fill Hankins’ spot in the lineup.
The Cowboys also have a few other options to fill the void left by Hankins. Veteran defensive tackle Antwaun Woods is also on the roster, and he has experience starting in the NFL. The Cowboys also have the option of giving a younger player a chance at the starting job.
The team will look to Michael Bennett, Trysten Hill, and Donovan Olumba as potential replacements for Hankins. Bennett, a former first-round pick, has the potential to be a starter, but he has yet to find consistent playing time in the NFL. Hill, a rookie second-round pick, showed promise in his limited action this season, and Olumba has proved to be a reliable backup in the secondary.
The Cowboys will also need to adjust to the loss of Hankins from a leadership standpoint. He has been a vocal leader on the defensive side of the ball since joining the team, and his presence will be missed in the locker room.
No matter who replaces Hankins, the Cowboys will have to adjust to his absence. The team is already looking for someone to fill in the void, and the search will continue as the offseason progresses.
The Cowboys will need to find a way to fill the hole left by Hankins, and it will be a difficult task for the team. Hankins was a key part of the Cowboys defense, and the team will need to find a way to replace him.
The post Cowboys Preparing to be Without Key Starter: Report appeared first on Heavy.com. The Cowboys are facing a difficult challenge in finding a replacement for Hankins, but the team has the tools to make it work. The Cowboys will need to make adjustments to their defense if they want to remain competitive in the NFC East.
