After starting the season with a narrow loss, the Dallas Cowboys will have to continue their 2020 campaign without one of their starters. MRI revealed that tight end Blake Jarwin suffered a clean ACL tear during the Cowboys’ 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The 26-year old did not appear to have any other issues, and will undergo surgery, prematurely ending his 2020 season.
Jarwin injured his knee during the second quarter in the Cowboys’ season opener after recording just one reception and 12 yards. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy, who went undrafted in 2017 NFL Draft before finding his way to Dallas, was expected to have a big season after starter Jason Witten left to join the Las Vegas Raiders. In the 2019 season, he finished with 31 receptions, 365 yards, and three touchdowns. During the summer, he signed a three-year, $24.25 million contract extension with the Cowboys.
Head coach Mike McCarthy will have to make important lineup decisions, as Dallas doesn’t have a lot of other options at tight end. Dalton Schultz replaced Jarwin against the Rams, but the 24-year old had just one reception and 11 yards and dropped two important passes. Other options include backup Blake Bell, who was signed by the team this summer, and 22-year old rookie Sean McKeon, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by Dallas after going drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys look to bounce back from the loss to the Rams when they face the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 2 match this Sunday.