The Dallas Cowboys are implementing on-field changes after a period of organizational shifts that began with the addition of senior advisor Mike Pettine to assist the defense. The latest move involves benching Donovan Ezeiruaku, who started all five games this season and nine last year, and replacing him with Malachi Lawrence. Lawrence was selected by Dallas with a second first-round pick in the April NFL draft.
Lawrence had a slow start to the season but seemed to break through in the recent loss to Tampa Bay, recording his first career sack and a pass defensed. Ezeiruaku has 0.5 sacks this season after totaling 2.0 last year, and his NFL production has been inconsistent. Coach Brian Schottenheimer had indicated that Lawrence would see more playing time this week, but the decision to start Lawrence over Ezeiruaku remains notable.
News circulating on social media confirmed the move, with reports stating that Dallas would start Malachi Lawrence over Donovan Ezeiruaku tonight as part of ongoing changes at outside linebacker. This marks the first publicly announced adjustment in the unit under the current coaching plan.
