Earlier today, Gerald McCoy went down in practice with a lower leg injury. Our worst fears are now validated; the veteran defensive tackle has a ruptured tendon in his quadriceps and won’t be playing for the Cowboys in 2020. His season has ended before it began.

A mult-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro at DT for the Tampa Bay Bucs, the 32-year-old McCoy joined the Cowboys this year as a free agent. He signed a three-year contract worth over $18 million to help bolster the middle of Dallas’ defensive line.

Stephen Jones says Gerald McCoy has a ruptured right quad tendon. He's headed for sugery and his season is over.

Major blow for the Dallas defense.

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) August 17, 2020

Now the Cowboys will turn to some familiar faces and young prospects to fill in the gap. This opens the door for veterans Tyrone Crawford and Antwaun Woods to perhaps have a larger role in 2020, but also could mean big things for rookie Neville Gallimore and 2nd-year player Trysten Hill.

Hill was drafted in the 2nd Round last year and many thought would be taking over a starting DT job in 2020. But he struggled last year and didn’t earn that natural ascension, prompting Dallas to sign McCoy and draft Gallimore.

With Gerald now gone there should be a major competition in the works for his presumed starting role. This only adds to uncertainty at defensive tackle with Dontari Poe, the other veteran free agent addition, currently missing camp on the PUP list.

If this was going to happen, thankfully it’s four weeks before the season opener and gives the Cowboys time to adjust.

For now, we mainly focus our attention on Gerald McCoy and wish him a good, speedy recovery.