When the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers met earlier in the season, the Buccaneers ran all over the Cowboys with Tampa Bay starting running back Leonard Fournette totaling a season-high 127 yards for his only 100-yard rushing performance of the entire season. But it looks like Dallas is getting a little bit of help on the inside to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
According to Dallas Cowboys beat writer Jon Machota of The Athletic, the team is activating defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins from the injured reserve list, which should help the team against the run during Monday night’s game.
The Cowboys activated DT Johnathan Hankins from injured reserve and elevated CB Xavier Rhodes from the practice squad. Both are expected to play tonight
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 16, 2023
“The Cowboys activated DT Johnathan Hankins from injured reserve and elevated CB Xavier Rhodes from the practice squad. Both are expected to play tonight,” Machota said in a tweet.
It’s pretty massive news for the Cowboys ahead of the playoff matchup, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Let's go! Very relieved to have Hankins back when it matters https://t.co/s9G2YT2YxV
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2023
“Let’s go! Very relieved to have Hankins back when it matters,” John Owning of Pro Football Focus said in a tweet.
Huge!!! Honestly was worried about our interior without him the last few weeks
— danny (tone setter) the ladster (@dannyfootball59) January 16, 2023
“Huge!!! Honestly was worried about our interior without him the last few weeks,” fantasy football writer Danny said in a tweet.
The #Cowboys also activated DT Jonathan Hankins, an inside run defender. #Bucs RB Leonard Fournette ran for season-high 127 yards vs Dallas in Week 1 – his only 100-yard game. Tampa Bay was worst run offense in the NFL by all major metrics.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 16, 2023
“The #Cowboys also activated DT Jonathan Hankins, an inside run defender. #Bucs RB Leonard Fournette ran for season-high 127 yards vs Dallas in Week 1 – his only 100-yard game. Tampa Bay was worst run offense in the NFL by all major metrics,” Ed Werder of ESPN said in a tweet.
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) January 16, 2023
Dallas Cowboys Blog “Blogging The Boys” reacted to the news with a clapping emoji in a tweet.
It’s huge news for the Cowboys. We will see how it pays off as the team looks to beat Tom Brady for the first time in franchise history.
