Dallas, Texas: Cowboys Place First-Round Rookie Malachi Lawrence on Injured Reserve, Activate Marist Liufau

The Dallas Cowboys placed rookie outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence on injured reserve on Saturday, one day before their game at Indianapolis, and activated outside linebacker Marist Liufau from injured reserve in the corresponding move, the team announced.

Lawrence, the No. 23 overall pick out of UCF, suffered a high ankle sprain in the 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, November 1, according to the Associated Press. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier in the week that Lawrence could miss several weeks. The Cowboys ruled him out on the final injury report on Friday, and Saturday's move makes Sunday the first game he has missed this season.

At least four games out

A player placed on injured reserve must sit out at least four games. For Lawrence, that run covers Sunday at Indianapolis, the home games against San Francisco and Tennessee, and the Thanksgiving game against Philadelphia. The team said he will be eligible to return as early as the Week 13 matchup against the Seahawks, the December 7 trip to Seattle.

Lawrence had started the last three games. Pro Football Talk reported he has 13 tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits this season while playing 41 percent of the defensive snaps.

Liufau back for his season debut

Liufau, a 2024 third-round pick out of Notre Dame, broke his forearm in the preseason finale and opened the season on injured reserve. He returned to practice on October 22. The team said that if he is active on Sunday, it will mark his regular season debut.

Defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard will remain on injured reserve, Pro Football Talk reported. Bullard, who has a calf injury, is in his 21-day return-to-practice window and practiced in full all week, but the team did not activate him for Sunday.

Two elevations at receiver and tight end

The Cowboys also elevated wide receiver Jordan Hudson and tight end James Mitchell from the practice squad. Hudson, a rookie from SMU, is elevated for the first time this season. Mitchell makes his second straight appearance. He fell on a fumble in the end zone against Arizona last week for a touchdown.

The elevations add depth at two thin spots. Tight ends Jake Ferguson, who has an ankle injury, and Luke Schoonmaker, who has a groin injury, are both questionable for Sunday. At receiver, KaVontae Turpin is out again, and George Pickens is questionable with a hamstring injury. The team said defensive backs Caleb Downs and P.J. Locke cleared concussion protocol on Friday and will play in Indianapolis.

Dallas takes a 3-5 record into Sunday's game against the Colts, who are 2-6. Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is at noon Central, with FOX carrying the game.