WR Amari Cooper, DE DeMarcus Lawrence nearing return for Dallas Cowboys after offseason surgeries

WR Amari Cooper and DE DeMarcus Lawrence are nearing a return to the field for the Dallas Cowboys after offseason surgeries, according to reports.

Rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper worked out for scouts at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on January 30, 2018. He exhibited excellent hands and route running skills, though the way he ran the 40-yard dash was not all that encouraging. The 2018 NFL Draft also saw Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence operate on both his Achilles and knee over the offseason. This year, both are expected to make their return to the field.

The Dallas Cowboys lost two key contributors to their defensive line in DeMarcus Lawrence, who had season-ending microfracture surgery, and Amari Cooper, who had a Lisfranc injury that required surgery. Both players are expected to be ready for the start of the next season, though the exact dates and extent of their recovery periods remain to be determined.

OXNARD, Calif. – OXNARD, Calif. – DeMarcus Lawrence and Amari Cooper of the Dallas Cowboys have a combined 189 career games and six Pro Bowl selections between them, so they don’t need the day-to-day grind of training camp.

However, both are on the verge of taking the field for the first time this summer.

On Tuesday, Lawrence was activated off the physically unable to perform list, and Cooper said he is almost 100 percent recovered from ankle surgery he underwent in January.

1 Related

Lawrence and Cooper will either be spectators or stay in Oxnard, California, to complete their recovery when the Cowboys begin the preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

When asked when he would practice, Lawrence replied, “It’s up to the trainers and the doctors.” “I believe they have a solid strategy in place to reintegrate me, and whatever they need of me, I am ready to provide.”

Lawrence and Cooper will not practice until the Cowboys returned to The Star in Frisco, Texas, following the Aug. 13 preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, according to owner and general manager Jerry Jones.

“To be totally honest, I wouldn’t say I’m at 100 percent yet. But I’m almost there. Because I’ve been rehabilitating so hard, I can do everything, maybe even a bit better “Cooper said. “I’m just trying to be the greatest Amari Cooper I can be, to surpass my previous achievements. I’ve been telling myself recently that I want this year to be different from any previous year I’ve played football.”

Lawrence had offseason back surgery for the third time since the 2015 season ended to address a problem that caused discomfort down his legs last season.

“It’s different this time because it’s not a bulging disc, it’s just a herniation,” Lawrence said of the changes between the previous two operations. “You only need to clear out the hernia, stitch it up, and you’re ready to go. It’s all about working smart, not hard and stupid, especially after eight years in the league and a thorough knowledge of the game. I feel like I’m in a good position now that I’ve been able to get my feet back under me, get myself back under me, and work myself back in with the guys.”

Last season, Lawrence did not miss a game and led the club with 6.5 sacks and 37 quarterback pressures.

Cooper did not miss a game, ending with a career-high 92 receptions for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns, but he had bone spurs removed from his ankle following the Pro Bowl, which aggravated an earlier ailment in his right ankle that has since healed.

This week, he increased the intensity of his conditioning training.

Cooper said, “It was totally deliberate; that’s it.” “You set your weight, speed, and quickness objectives, and you can feel the change.” Both players have slimmed down.

Lawrence said that he has played at 245 pounds for the last four seasons and that the Cowboys had him classified at 254 pounds.

“To relieve back tension,” he said. “My doctor told me that even if you’re 260 pounds, you may be carrying too much weight on your back. So I’m trying to slim down, eat well, and regain muscular mass.”

Cooper said that after joining the league at 212 pounds in 2015, he has played at 225 pounds for the past three seasons.

“You see Julio (Jones), he’s the man from Bama, and I was already used to being smaller.” Cooper said, “Not tiny, but smaller/quicker/faster receiver.” “I aspired to be that huge man with all those characteristics.” Like large, powerful, and quick. It was fun for me to do it. But I didn’t see any change in terms of how difficult it was to attack me. Guys couldn’t really touch me at the line of scrimmage, so I don’t feel like I need to be that large anymore.” Now that I’m 215 pounds, I’m going to attempt to play at 210 pounds. It’s possible that you won’t even see me running.”